About Chie Imaizumi
Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll "Rising Star Arranger" "Rising Star Composer "
International Songwriting Competition 2nd place in the Jazz category
Herb Pomeroy Award for excellence in Jazz Composition
Rocky Mountain Jazz Artist of the Year
Won the Yamaha Electone Competition for outstanding performance
at the regional and national levels numerous years in a row
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One of the most well-received musicians of her generation, composer and arranger Chie Imaizumi has won many awards as an ambitious and active voice in the jazz community. She has the distinction of being the recipient of the Herb Pomeroy Award, The Rocky Mountain Jazz Artist of the Year, and was recognized by DownBeat Critics Poll as a "Rising Star Composer & Arranger". Her work titled, “Adversity”, took Second Place in the jazz category of the International Songwriting Competition and Chie was featured as one of the New Faces of Jazz in the book, “The New Face of Jazz” (Random House). Her picture is also highlighted on the back cover along with Christian McBride and Wynton Marsalis.
Chie’s commissioned work has included pieces for the US Air Force Academy Band's Falconaires, USAFA Concert Band, Japan Air Self Defense Force Concert Band, Greg Gisbert, Jeff Hamilton, and the Consulate General of Japan to name a few. Regularly praised for her unique compositions and explosive energy, each piece tells a story that reflects a particular mood or style chronicling various experiences in her life. The vast range of emotions Chie expresses in her works takes listeners on a musical journey that cannot fail to engage and impress music fans around the world.
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She has worked on music preparation for John Clayton, Tommy LiPuma, Quincy Jones, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Natalie Cole, Michael Bublé, Leon Russell, The Kennedy Center Honors, The Jazz Cruise, and Jennifer Lopez to name a few. She has also orchestrated music for the recent Whitney Houston movie "I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
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I believe this performance shattered many stereotypes of not only military musicians but also shattered stereotypes of what a female Japanese jazz composer can do for international relations.
- Jason Plosch (Major, The United States Air Force Band)
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If you can depart after hearing a set of Imaizumi's music without joy in your heart and swing in your head,
you need to check yourself for a pulse..
— Norman Provizer (Rocky Mountain News)
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