Dialogue by Masa Ishikawa

Dialogue is Masa Ishikawa's first jazz composition studio album, which consists of ten original compositions of mine written for vibraphone, piano/keyboards, acoustic bass/electric bass and drums. Each piece in this album is based on my personal reflections on various subjects as well as my Japanese cultural background and heritage. The album title "Dialogue" portrays my sincere hope to connect with you on a deeper level through these ten musical pieces.

Horizon (5:47)
Envisioning a beautiful horizon in my mind always revitalizes and expands my inner sense. This piece illustrates my enthusiastic and positive emotion when imagining various kinds of skylines (beach, mountain or prairie etc.) at sunrise.

Tuk Tuk (5:23)
The piece is based on my experiences that I visited China in 2014. There, I had a chance to ride on a three-wheeled taxi, called “Tuk Tuk” The vehicle was quite bouncy throughout my ride but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The music represents my exciting yet a bit
apprehensive feeling riding on a Tuk Tuk.

Blues for Eric (5:31)
I am dedicating this piece to my dear friend Eric Hitt, the bassist on this album, and the music also features him as a melody player of the piece as well as an improvised soloist. I am very thankful for the wonderful musical contribution that Eric has brought into my music this time.

Romance (6:45)
As we have this common phrase “Love is blind”, our state of mind changes significantly when we fall in love with someone. In this composition, I have integrated certain melody/phrases and harmony that express our happiness, yet somehow a bit senseless and foolish feeling when we are in romance.

Night Parade (6:57)
The piece is based on my childhood memories when I attended several Japanese summer festivals. There, I would enjoy watching colorful fireworks, traditional folk dances, various performances and parades. I wanted to capture how mesmerized and engaged I was as a kid when being at those festivals into this music.

Oni Mai ( -dance of ogres- ) (6:29)
There are quite a few Japanese folk tales and stories relating Oni (Ogres) One example is “Mame-Maki”, which is one of the Japanese traditional events that are held on February 3rd. On this date, we would throw roasted soybeans either outside or at members of households
who are wearing Oni (Ogre) masks. While throwing beans at them, we would say “Ogres Out, Luck In” The character of Oni often appears not to be a demonic figure but rather a comical and kind creature. The piece Oni Mai portrays my imagination of a kindhearted yet
somewhat quirky ogre, visiting various towns and villages.

Hikari ( -the light-) (5:55)
We all experience difficult and tough times at some point during our life. But I believe that there is always a ray of Hikari (light) ahead of us after the darkness we go through. When your life is low, I humbly hope this piece to be a reminder that a peaceful glow will soon be awaiting you.

Clover (8:13)
There is no doubt that many of us love welcoming spring when the long winter is finally behind, and everything is regaining and rejuvenating. This piece expresses joy and happiness of all creatures during springtime. Particularly, I was inspired to write this piece when I saw
woodchucks lively coming out of their burrows in the early spring in Nebraska.

Impermanence (7:36)
As a native of Fukushima, Japan’s tragic 2011 earthquake/tsunami as well as The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear powerplants meltdown struck me deeply in a personal level. Since then, many people in Fukushima lost their hometowns, and they have been continuously struggling with
the uncertain health impact to the radiation exposure from the nuclear reactors that have long ways to be decommissioned. With this piece, I would like to continue raising awareness of difficulties Fukushima still has been facing. All things in this world are impermanent, and
I truly hope someday the situations there will be improved.

Prism (7:47)
Musician often associate melodies, rhythms and harmonies with various colors as a source of inspiration when it comes to interpreting, performing and composing music. When I was writing this piece, I simply wanted this music to make you (listeners) imagine as many beautiful and sparkling colors as possible in your mind, which (I believe and sincerely hope) will deliver you great joy and bliss.

As a pianist and composer, Masa Ishikawa has performed at various jazz festivals and concerts in Italy, China, Japan and the United States. Several of his compositions have been published from UNC Jazz Press.

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