ArtistInfo

Tokyo Blue

Band, JP
Musician of Jazz

Profile Tokyo Blue was formed in 2008 by Japanese bassist Hiroaki Maekawa, Indonesian pianist Ywenna Carollin and Malaysian drummer Joshua Maran to compose and perform original instrumental music. The current drummer of the band is Cuban Pablo Calzado replacing Joshua who studies in Berkleee. This Malaysia-based band is considered one of Malaysia's hottest jazz acts and are still actively gigging. Heavily infuenced by international artists and composers including Hiromi Uehara, Avishai Cohen, Marcus Miller, Joe Hisaishi and more, Tokyo Blue's music has essences of Jazz, Fusion, Latin, Progressive Rock and even Film music. The trio uses sweet melodies with funky rhythm section and odd meters at times, constantly pushing their limits of jazz writing and improvisation while still keeping the songs melodious and story-full. While still performing at jazz venues, festivals and private events in Malaysia, after wowing local music lovers and industry veterans with their instrumental forays into jazz, local jazz trio Tokyo Blue stepped it up a notch with debut album The Naked Soul which was just released in October 2009, that promises songs that bare the core of their beings and push the edge of experimentation. The trio has a distinct sound featuring the adventurous bass playing, aggressive yet sensitive piano and rock solid drum beats. The album also includes variety of tunes that re?ect the different sides of their personalities. With the tunes featuring pounding rock riff on piano, mellow fretless bass taking the lead, disco beat with montuno, melodious odd meter piano with double bass, funky latin beats with slap bass and more, Tokyo Blue demonstrates their capabilities to write creative and meaningful tunes, and even to entertain through instrumental music. They have performed at Penang Island Jazz Festival 2009 (Malaysia), Jakarta ‘Jazz Goes to Campus’ November 2009 (Indonesia), Bangkok Jazz Festival (Thailand)2009, Jazz Goes to Campus, Indonesia November 2010 and Singapore Mosaic Music Festival March 2011. Members Each member of Tokyo Blue is an active composer. While bassist Hiroaki is the founder and the main composer of Tokyo Blue, pianist Ywenna has been composing for her own Jazz Soul band while penning few compositions for Tokyo Blue and drummer Joshua is a composer for his own Funk Rock band. As sessionists and arrangers, each member is constantly busy performing and writing music for other artistes. However, when these 3 members compose, arrange and perform together, blend of the different styles and musicality learnt through composing set them apart from other jazz fusion bands. Hiroaki and Ywenna studied jazz under Malaysia's voted best pianist -Michael Veerapen while Joshua is a scholarship recipient from Berklee College of Music, USA. Having performed with various artists in clubs, festivals, private events, TV shows and more, each member is equipped with versatility and experience. Lead by Hiroaki who has performed in Penang Island Jazz Festival 06 (Malaysia), Rock The World 06 (Malaysia), Genting International Jazz Festival 07 (Malaysia), Gumi Jazz Festival 07 (Korea), Sunrise Jazz Festival 08 (Malaysia), Sunburst Festival 09 (Malaysia), Dig It All Festival 09 (Malaysia) and Jarasum Jazz Festival 09 (Korea), Tokyo Blue is determined to deliver distinct compositions and performance. In addition, different cultures and ethnic sounds that each member brings in from Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia effect their music to be different from other Jazz oriented bands.

Members

	Hiroaki Maekawa b
	Joshua Maran dr, voc
	Ywenna Carollin p
	Pablo Calzado dr *1984 CU