JUN IIDA

BELLFLOWER

OA2 Records

Jun Iida, trumpet/vocals/composer; Zelda Harris, vocals; Chris McCarthy, piano/Fender Rhodes; Masami Kuroki, guitar; Giulio Xavier Cetto, bass; Jongkuk Kim, drums; Takafumi Nikaido, congas.

This album called “Bellflower” is reflective or Jun Iida’s life, both past and present. It’s a peek into his musical world but also a diary of sorts to project his inner thoughts and feelings.  The “Bellflower” is a perennial plant. There are over 400 species of this lovely purple plant with bell-shaped flowers, much like the bell of Jun Iida’s trumpet. But this album is not about flowers.  It’s about a street called Bellflower in Cleveland Ohio, where Jun Iida and his buddies once gathered during their final college years.

As a world traveler, Iida has lived in several US cities before finally settling in New York. But, he was always connected to his cultural Japanese roots. The first original composition on this album is dedicated to the city of Pittsburgh (where he grew up) called “Rivers and Bridges.” The arrangement rises like a Phoenix with the piano chords of Chris McCarthy playing like a Coltrane production and Jun Iida’s trumpet soaring above the groove.  His beautiful tones spread wings to glide across the musical changes.  Masami Kuroki enters on guitar to offer his own lovely, creative solo.

Iida comes from a musical family.  His mother plays koto (Japanese Harp) and she made sure her son stayed connected to his cultural roots by singing him Japanese folk and children’s songs. As he grew up in an American East Coast environment, he embraced jazz, blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, along with the hip hop music he enjoyed during his youth. All of that is incorporated into this album.  “Hotaru Nights” is joyful and dances limberly across my listening room from the bell of Iida’s trumpet.

Jun Iida moved to Los Angeles in 2015. After college graduation he took an engineering job on the West Coast, but never stopped pursuing music.  While living in L.A., he recorded the “Evergreen” album.

He performed with the Seattle Jazz Repertory Orchestra before relocating to New York City.  Every song spotlights his lush, warm tone on the trumpet.  “The Final View” is the only cover tune on this album and it was composed by Japanese producer, Nujabes.  Iida has written the rest.

“I’m a jazz musician, but I’m always trying to move forward in ways that reflect my experiences and culture,” Jun Iida comments.

He has carefully titled each original composition. “Next Time” is a meditation on opportunities he passed by and hoped to revisit in the future. However, when that happens, we rarely get another opportunity. “Marco the Phoenix” opens with a bass line speaking to me from the exceptional strings of Giulio Xavier Cetto. His musicianship jerks my attention.  This song was inspired by an anime character who loses everything yet perseveres. There is a little taste of the blues threaded through the song called “Lovers’ Interlude.” One of my favorite tunes on this album is “No Scuffs” that lifts the tempo and incorporates a fusion feel.

“Chasing Peace” is a lovely ballad inspired by something Ahmad Jamal said to Herlin Riley when he was asked how he keeps his energy up?

“Just chasing peace,” the iconic pianist responded.

There is a sense of peace and wellness in every song on this album.  Jun Iida’s compositions are enjoyable and beautifully arranged.  His bandmates are talented and innovative, bringing these well-written compositions to life in lovely ways.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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