From The Seattle Times:
Pianist Satoko Fujii, well-known for her daring big band that includes Seattle alumnae Briggan Krauss, Andy Laster and Aaron Alexander, is in town Saturday in a smaller configuration, the New Trio + 1, with Todd Nicholson (bass), Yoshi Shutto (drums) and Kappa Maki (trumpet).
Originally from Japan, Fujii earned degrees at the Berklee College and New England Conservatory and has become a strikingly productive and imaginative member of the international avant-garde.
A pianist who plays the inside and outside of the instrument with equal conviction, Fujii can wax abstract and bombastic but also has a meditative side and a lovely lyrical streak, evident in “Gen Himmel,” her ravishing requiem for her late bass player, Norikatsu Koreyasu.
Fujii performs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at the Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; no cover (206-906-9920 or http://theroyalroomseattle.com).