Happy Women's Map 旧満州 日本初「ジャズマスターズ」受賞ジャズピアニスト・作曲家 穐吉 敏子 女史 / The first Japanese Jazz Pianist and composer awarded 'Jazz Masters', Ms.Toshiko Akiyoshi
「わたしの一生というのは、黄色い一本の長い道なのです」
"My life is like a long yellow road."
穐吉 敏子 女史
Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi
1929 -
中国遼陽 生誕
Born in Liaoyang, China
穐吉 敏子女史は、米ジャズ界における最高栄誉「ジャズマスターズ賞」を受賞している日本初のジャズピアニスト・作曲家です。日本人で初めてボストンのバークリー音楽院で学び、日本のアイデンティティをオリジナルジャズに活かしながら長年ビッグバンドを率いて世界で活躍しています。
Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi is the first Japanese jazz pianist and composer to receive the highest honor in the American jazz scene, the 'Jazz Masters Award.' She was the first Japanese person to study at Boston's Berklee College of Music and, leveraging her Japanese identity, has led big bands for many years, making a global impact with her contributions to original jazz compositions.
『トルコ行進曲』
敏子は小学1年生のときに女学生の弾く『トルコ行進曲』に魅せられます。早速、小学校の音楽の先生に頼み込んで、放課後の学校や先生の自宅で教えてもらいます。やがて大連の女学校に進学しながら同時に大連音楽学校にも通ってピアノ教師のもとで学びます。15歳のときに終戦、翌年に両親の故郷である大分県に引き揚げます。
『Sweet Lorraine』
物資不足で困窮する中、別府の駐留軍キャンプ「つるみダンスホール」でピアノ弾きの仕事を始めます。そこで、テディ・ウィルソンの『Sweet Lorraine』を聴いてすっかりジャズに魅せられます。18歳で上京。あちこちの駐留軍キャンプまたダンスホールで夜毎に演奏をしながら腕を磨きます。敏子は最新の輸入盤が置かれているジャズ喫茶に通って、ビバップと呼ばれるモダン・ジャズを手探りで学びます。
『Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi』
「コージー・カルテット」を結成して西銀座の日本初のライブハウス「テネシー・コーヒーショップ」で演奏しているところを、来日したジャズピアニストであるオスカー・ピーターソンに認められ、彼の後押しでレコード『Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi』を録音。米国でレコードが発売されると、日本人初のジャズピアニストとして話題になり、26歳の敏子はバークリー音楽院に奨学生として招待されます。敏子は留学生として学びながら、着物姿で激しくビバップを演奏、本場でも大きな話題を呼びます。「ニューポート・ジャズ・フェスティバル」はじめボストンの人気クラブ「ストーリービル」などに出演、卒業後は拠点をニューヨークに移しチャー・リミンガスのバンドに参加します。
『孤軍』
34歳のときにアルト・サックス奏者チャーリー・ミリアーノと結婚するもまもなく離婚。子育てとJAZZの両立に悩み、娘を日本の姉に預け、様々な偏見や差別などに苦しみながらJAZZ活動を続けます。やがてフルートまたテナー・サックス奏者ルー・タバキンと結婚。ロサンゼルスで「秋吉敏子＝ルー・タバキン・ビッグ・バンド」を結成。敏子は45歳のときに、ルバング島で発見され大ニュースになった小野田寛郎少尉を題材に、ジャズと日本古来の和楽を融合した「孤軍」を発表。夫ルーがフルートを笛のように響かせ、能で使う鼓の音色も加えます｡世界中で大ヒットとなり、JAZZにおける日本人のアイデンティティを知らしめます。以降、自らの作編曲で世界中で活動を続け、グラミー賞では計14度ノミネートされるが未受賞ながらも、70歳のときに日本人唯一「国際ジャズ名誉の殿堂」入り、77歳のときにジャズ界で最高栄誉となる全米芸術基金の「ジャズ・マスター賞」を受賞。現在はソロなどで活躍中。
'Turkish March'
When Toshiko was in the first grade, she was captivated by a fellow female student playing 'Turkish March.' She promptly approached the elementary school music teacher and persuaded her to teach her after school, both at school and at the teacher's home. While advancing to a women's school in Dalian, she simultaneously attended the Dalian Music School, studying under a piano teacher. At the age of 15, with the end of the war, she returned to her parents' hometown in Oita Prefecture the following year.
'Sweet Lorraine'
Amidst shortages and financial difficulties, she started working as a pianist at the 'Tsurumi Dance Hall,' a U.S. military camp in Beppu. There, she became enchanted with Teddy Wilson's 'Sweet Lorraine.' At 18, she moved to Tokyo. Improving her skills by performing nightly at various U.S. military camps and dance halls, she honed her craft. Toshiko frequented jazz cafes where the latest imported records were available, learning about the emerging modern jazz called bebop through trial and error.
'Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi'
Forming the 'Cozy Quartet,' they played at Tokyo's first live house, the 'Tennessee Coffee Shop' in Nishi-Ginza. Recognized by visiting jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, she recorded the album 'Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi' with his support. Upon its release in the United States, she became the first Japanese jazz pianist to gain attention. At the age of 26, she was invited to Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. Studying as a foreign student, she played intense bebop in traditional Japanese attire, creating a sensation even in the jazz heartland. She performed at the 'Newport Jazz Festival' and popular clubs in Boston, including 'Storyville.' After graduating, she moved her base to New York and joined Charles Mingus's band.
'Kogun' (Solitary Army)
At the age of 34, she married alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano but soon divorced. Struggling to balance motherhood and jazz, she entrusted her daughter to her Japanese sister and continued her jazz activities despite various prejudices and discrimination. Later, she married flutist and tenor saxophonist Lew Tabackin. In Los Angeles, she formed the 'Toshiko Akiyoshi = Lew Tabackin Big Band.' At the age of 45, inspired by the discovery of Lieutenant Kanro Onoda on Lubang Island, she released 'Kogun,' blending jazz with traditional Japanese music. Lew played the flute like a shakuhachi, and the sound of the taiko drum used in Noh drama was also added. It became a worldwide hit, showcasing the identity of Japanese people in jazz. From then on, she continued her global activities with her own compositions and arrangements. Although nominated for the Grammy Award 14 times without winning, at the age of 70, she became the only Japanese inducted into the 'International Jazz Hall of Fame.' At 77, she received the 'Jazz Master Award,' the highest honor in the jazz world, from the National Endowment for the Arts. She continues to be active in solo performances and more.
-2007 NEA Jazz Master
-Discogs.com
Share Your Love and Happy Women's Story！
あなたを元気にする女性の逸話をお寄せください！
Share your story of a woman that inspires you!
この記事が気に入ったらサポートをしてみませんか？