Welcome to the official web site of Chie Imaizumi
Nov. 08, 2008 | Consulate General of Japan's Website
The essay I wrote for the Consul-General of Japan Mr. Kazuaki Kubo is on their website now.
It's about Falconaires, Monterey Jazz Fest, and myself.
Japanese only... sorry I haven't translated to English yet...
Oct. 04, 2008 | Video from the Monterey Jazz Festival 2008 - Commission Premiere!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Symqx8h9M
" Sharing the Freedom "
Commissioned by the USAF Academy Band's Falconaires,
Received its world premiere at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Night Club/Bill Berry Stage,
performed by the Falconaires, conducted by Chie Imaizumi on September 20th, 2008.
featured soloists - Technical Sergeant Jason Crowe on Bass
& Technical Sergeant Ricky Sweum on Tenor Saxophone
Please think about it. We have history.
I believe the world is healing. Don't you think Music is so beautiful and powerful? : )
Sep. 06, 2008 | Commission by the U.S.Air Force Academy Band’s "Falconaires"
Early this summer, I was asked by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band's "Falconaires" if I'm interested in writing a commission piece for the Monterey Jazz Festival 2008. I said yes of course!
I spent whole summer thinking about this piece.
When I realized how deep this commission can be, I realized again that how powerful music is.
Music is so powerful and beautiful.
I finished writing this piece the end of August,
and I went to the Air Force base yesterday to rehearse.
The title is " Sharing the Freedom"
As a result, I will be conducting the U.S. Air Force Academy Band's "Falconaires" at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Night Club/Bill Berry Stage. We will premiere this piece " Sharing the Freedom" together.
Cheers to the music!
Aug. 08, 2008 | Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest 2008
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest Features Intriguing Colorado Musicians Otis Taylor, Eufórquestra, and Chie Imaizumi Orchestra
PRESS
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Bohemian Nights, LLC is proud to present its 2008 lineup of nearly 60 Colorado artists, on five music stages, in historic Downtown, Fort Collins this August. Fort Collins’ birthday is celebrated each year with Northern Colorado’s largest community festival, Bohemian Nights at the 20th Annual NewWestFest, August 15-17, 2008. This year’s lineup includes seven Colorado bands who are agency signed artists making their mark on the national music scene. A few of the many intriguing Colorado artists coming to this year’s festival are Otis Taylor, Eufórquestra and Chie Imaizumi Orchestra.
Receiving a number of awards and recognition in the past year, Chie Imaizumi Orchestra ( Pronounced "Chee-ay Ee-my-zu-me" ) new CD “Unfailing Kindness” appeared in five categories on the ballot for the 50th Grammy Awards. A native of Japan, composer/arranger/conductor Chie Imaizumi was named the 2007 Rocky Mountain Jazz “Artist of the Year” and “Rising Star Composer” by DownBeat Magazine, one of the most popular Jazz publications in print. Among her other accomplishments includes a commission by the Consulate General of Japan at Denver to arrange two famous Japanese traditional sounds, “Aka Tombo” and “Usagi to Kame”. Assembling an all-star, large ensemble to play intricate and uplifting music, each of Imaizumi’s compositions presents a musical narrative that reflects a different mood or style and chronicles various experiences in Imaizumi’s life, taking listeners on a musical journey.
Jul. 23, 2008 | New Project
I'm writing a commission piece for the U.S Airforce Band's "Falconairs".
featured soloist will be TSgt Ricky Sweum on saxophone, and TSgt Jason Crowe on bass.
It will receive its world premiere at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Night Club/Bill Berry Stage by the Falconaires on September 20th, 2008.
May. 25, 2008 | Commission for the JWO/Denver School of the Arts 2008
I've been a Guest Composer/Arranger/Artist in Residence at the Denver School of the Arts from August 2007 to May 2008. Early this year, the Director of Bands Department Mr. Dave Hammond commissioned me to write a piece for DSA Jazz Workshop Orchestra which received its premier on May 1st 2008 at the DSA Concert Hall.
My main inspirations were...
* It was a transition period for everybody at that time of year, some students are graduating and moving into their new life journey.
* Their smiles, those pure smiles are very special to me, inspire me, and deeply touch my heart every time I see that even though they are making fun of me : )
so... I wanted to write a piece which sound like a " Graduation Song ",
and can make students, their family and audiences smile .
The piece is classical music oriented.
The first part is baroque music oriented.
Stuednts wanted to play some funky stuff so I put a little bit of that in too...
In the end, everybody sing, dance, go crazy, and have fun haha : )
We also had an honor to play this piece at the beautiful "Ellie Caulkins Opera House" during DSA Graduation Ceremony on May 22 2008.
I'd like to thank Mr. Dave Hammond, the Denver Shool of the Arts, wonderful students and their family!
Congurats to the Graduats and keep shining!
Chie Imaizumi
May. 02, 2008 | Chie Imaizumi Jazz Orchestra is on the Westword Music Showcase Ballot this year
As in years past, fifty of Denver's acts have been nominated as the town's best by a committee of music enthusiasts and experts.
Jazz Category's Nominees ( they are all my friends yay! )
* 9th and Loncoln Orchestra
* Pat Bianchi
* Chie Imaizumi Jazz Orchestra
* Greg Harris Vibe Quintet
* Rene Marie
Mar. 03, 2008 | CBS4 aired the story on Chie!
CBS 4 and CBS4 Critic-at-Large Mr. Greg Moody aired the story on me and our sound. Check this out!
http://cbs4denver.com/moodypicks
P.S: If you can't find the video, just search my name Chie Imaizumi
Feb. 11, 2008 | New Pictures!
We had a wonderful concert at the King Center Concert Hall on Jan 31st.
I'd like to thank again for all the sponsors whom made this event extremely successful!
Consulate General of Japan at Denver
especially Mr. Kazuaki Kubo(Consul General),
Mr. Fumiyoshi Kashima(Deputy Consul General),
Ms. Yayoi Shaw(Cultural Program Coordinator)
Dr.Norman Provizer,
Metro State Music Department,
Golda Meir Center,
Metro State Student Activities,
Japanese Association of Colorado,
Japan America Society of Colorado.
Here is the link to the pictures taken by Ned Radinsky(Rockymountainjazz.com)
http://rockymountainjazz.com/photos.html
I wear the Kimono Dress which was made out of my mom's Furisode Kimono. Thanks Mom!!!
The age of majority in Japan is 20. Seijin shiki is the Japanese coming-of-age ceremony.Government officials give speeches, and small presents are handed out to the new adults.Many women celebrate this day by wearing a kimono with furisode(long sleeves that drape down). Men sometimes also wear traditional dress (dark kimono with hakama).
so... this Kimono itself is 30 something years old!(my mom told me not to mention the exact year ...)
Dec. 27, 2007 | THE 2007 Rocky Mountain Jazz ARTIST OF THE YEAR! YES!
I'm very pleased and honored to announce that I was selected
" The 2007 Rocky Mountain Jazz Artist of the Year"
http://www.rockymountainjazz.com/2007/12/rmj-artist-of-year.html
wow! I'm so flattered and thank you so much for all your support.
I'd like to thank Ned Radinsky and Peter Poses from rockymountainjazz.com
We have big shows coming up next year. I hope to see you all at one of our concert!
Yoi Otoshi wo everyone!
Chie
Jul. 22, 2007 | DownBeat Critics Poll recognized Chie as a "Rising Star Composer"!
Dear Friends,
I'm very pleased and honored to announce that I made " Rising Star Composer" list on Downbeat Critics Poll this year! I'm so flattered and I'd like to thank you for all your support!
Also two musicians that played on my recording also received recognition. Ron Miles (Rising Trumpet Star) and Gary Smulyan won the Baritone Saxophone Category! Congratulations!!!
If you have heard our music and enjoyed the experience and would like to offer your support, please participate in the " Downbeat Reader's Poll"
DownBeat Reader's Poll - vote! (Online voting ends Aug.31, 2007)
http://66.179.50.166/s.aspx?sm=5PEnnkSCAXuKdQ4N7uWh5A%3d%3d
Composer - Chie Imaizumi
Album - Unfailing Kindness
Record Label - CAPRI RECORDS
Greg Gisbert & Ron Miles (Trumpet)
John Gunther ( Soprano Saxophone/ Alto Saxophone / Flute)
Peter Sommer ( Tenor Saxophone/Soprano Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet)
Alex Heitlinger (Trombone)
Gary Smulyan(Baritone Saxophone)
Mike Abbott(Guitar)
Jeff Jenkins(Piano)
Mark Simon(Bass)
Paul Romaine(Drums)
Manavihare "Mimy" Fiaindratovo (Percussion)
Jeremy Ragsdale( Voice)
Thank you again soo much for all your support!!!
Love,
Chie
Apr. 21, 2007 | Chie's CD debuts at # 45 on Roots Music Report Jazz Chart - The #1 Independent, International Music Chart in the World
Another great news! yay!
Chie's CD debuts at # 45 on Roots Music Report Jazz Chart - The #1 Independent, International Music Chart in the World
Chart position is based on weekly airplay reports from station and DJ members.
What an honor! Thank you so much for all your support.
Love,
Chie Imaizumi
Apr. 16, 2007 | Chie Featured on Nationally Syndicated Radio Program" Listen Here!"
Episode #13 - Hosted By Mark Ruffin & Neil Tesser.
Segment #2: Discussion - Great Women of the Jazz Future
Following last week's salute to women of the past, Neil and Mark present four young instrumentalists, arrangers, composers, and bandleaders that they are confident will be producing important and beautiful music for years to come.
http://listenhereradio.com/shows/e13.html
You can always go to www.caprirecords.com to get the CD!
Thank you so much for all your support.
SMILE !
Chie Imaizumi
Apr. 10, 2007 | 10th consecutive weeks! CMJ Jazz Top-40 Chart
My new CD "Unfailing Kindness" makes now 10th consecutive weeks
on CMJ Top-40 chart. yay!
You can always go to www.caprirecords.com to get the CD!
Thank you so much for all your support.
Stay Happy everybody!
Chie Imaizumi
Apr. 02, 2007 | TV Kumagaya starting 10am April 5th 2007 Japan time
This is totally my dream come true. What an honor!
'TV Kumagaya' is the local TV station in my hometown Kumagaya city, Saitama, Japan.
They will start playing my new CD 'Unfailing Kindness' as a background music for their news programs etc, starting on April 5th, 2007 10am.
They will play "Unfailing Kindness" everyday 10am, 6pm, and 10pm until the end of September. 10 minutes each.
The program is called " Telekuma Weekly - Raisyu no Event Jyouhou"
They will also use my music for their different programs here and there!
"Unfailing Kindness" is a dedication to my family and especially for my parents who have always been there for me. I grow up in Kumagaya city and this whole TV Kumagaya thing is totally one of my dream come true! yay!
Thank you so much TV Kumagaya and Mr. Tsukagoshi. I LOVE KUMAGAYA!
Chie Imaizumi
Feb. 20, 2007 | Debuts at #43 on JazzWeek Top-50 Chart!
Greetings!
I have great news I'd like to share with you!
My debuts CD "Unfailing Kindness" has been added to Music Choice's JazzChannel,
and will get up full speed starting on Feb 21st, 2007!
Up 10 positions this week to No. 11 on CMJ chart,
debut No.43 on JazzWeek top 50 chart.
Downbeat review is scheduled on May.
You can always get our CD "Unfailing Kindness" through www.caprirecords.com
or go to your favorite distribution site!
I know some people are asking me when we'll start touring...
Well, we've been working on it so stay tune! Thank you all for your patient!
Thank you so much for all your support and love!
Have a beautiful day!!!!!
Smile:)
Chie
Jan. 23, 2007 | Brand New CD Released!
Greetings!
I'm very honored to share this exciting news with you!
Our new CD "Unfailing Kindness" is now officially released TODAY on Capri Records.
http://www.caprirecords.com
This CD features my original compositions and is produced by world-renowned trumpet recording artist Greg Gisbert, featuring....
Ron Miles, John Gunther, Peter Sommer, Gary Smulyan, Alex Heitlinger, Mike Abbott, Jeff Jenkins, Mark Simon, Paul Romaine, Mimy, Jeremy Ragsdale, as well as Greg Gisbert.
Recorded and mixed in the Mile High Music, Wheat Ridge, CO,
Mastered by Grammy-Award winning engineer David Glasser from Airshow Mastering, Boulder, CO
Also available online through iTunes, Amazon etc
I invite you to please visit www.thousandpictures.org
You can listen to clips of the CDs as well as view sample Scores & Parts.
Full scores & Parts available by contacting me!
I'm filled with so many different emotions right now.
I moved to United States in June 2001 from Japan, there was much Adversity along the way.
Today one of my dreams came true. I am finally standing the starting line.
Very special thanks to my family, friends, teachers, musicians, musical heros, and listeners who have inspired me so much.
I hope you enjoy our music and hope to see you all soon!
I wish you all Many Happy Days Ahead!
Sincerely,
Chie Imaizumi
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