Eri Yamamoto Trio – The Next Page

"She blends soft-hued harmonies, luminous melodies and lyrical expression with the introspective spirit of pianist Keith Jarrett and the poetic resonance of the great English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth. Besides her knack for poetic introspection, she can also swing with free, vibrant energy, propelled by crackling interaction with her trio mates." –Owen McNally, Hartford Courant

"An album of aching beauty and sparkling joy." –Fo, KZSU

"The entire collection simultaneously stimulates and relaxes the listener — full of songs that allude to nature. Yamamoto has a gift for capturing the seamless, nuanced changes in the seasons, the sky, the landscape, and the beneficent balm of its consonance with the human spirit. There are the gentle crestings of “Whiskey River,” the slow dance of grays and blues of “Night Shadows,” the marvel of reaching into massive evanescence so beautifully depicted on “Catch the Clouds..." –Britt Robson, eMusic

"Pianist Eri Yamamoto's tunes have always contained an organic sense of swing, post-bop's harmonic equations, a pop songwriter's lyricism, and a classical sense of discipline. She and her longstanding trio have developed a profoundly subtle, spacious, yet utterly modern take on the jazz piano trio." –Thom Jurek, All Music

Original exhortation text from 2012: It has been two years since Eri Yamamoto's last album of wonderfully melodious songs! She has been busy playing for rapt audiences across Europe and Japan, as well as the U.S. and Canada. Folks around the world get effusive when they hear her music, and that is an organically beautiful reality. Ms. Yamamoto has also been busy writing, and The Next Page presents a treasure trove of all new compositions.

Swinging eloquence, luminous lyricism, a deep rapport with her long-standing trio, and refreshingly original material are the key factors to this music. Because there was so much new material when it came time to record, it was decided to format this album as two distinct sets, akin to hearing her live in a jazz club, with a short break (60 seconds here) in between. While it was recorded in highest fidelity at Systems Two Studio in Brooklyn, the presentation is based on her regular engagement at Arthur's Tavern, NYC – every Thu, Fri, Sat night – which is a supreme rarity for a jazz (or any genre!) group in the modern era. [in hopes this engagement will resume post-pandemic]

Eri's inspiration for the songs spring from moments of grace that transpire in her daily life, both while traversing New York City and through exquisite moments of natural beauty experienced in her world travels. Her trio has been working together for 16 years (another supreme rarity in jazz) and this is their 3rd album on AUM Fidelity, following on the glowing Redwoods and In Each Day, Something Good. This album moves their music forward onto The Next Page. Joy remains the aim!