Description:

Masatake Unno, a talented New York-based pianist who was loved by legends such as Hank Jones and Jimmy Cobb and was the first and last regular Japanese member of the Roy Hargrove Quintet, has released a new album with all his might. In September 2020, Masatake Unno became a victim of a hate crime and was assaulted by a group of people in a New York City subway yard, suffering serious injuries, including a broken right shoulder, which is fatal for a pianist. The incident was covered by CBS and Japanese news programs, and a crowdfunding campaign launched immediately afterward by a musician friend quickly raised a large sum of money for the cause. Since then, he has made a miraculous comeback through his indomitable spirit and hard work in rehabilitation. His road to recovery was introduced in the NHK special "This Wonderful World: The Holy Land of Jazz that Fought Against Divide" broadcast in November 2021, which received a lot of positive feedback. This is his long-awaited return work, recorded with fellow musicians who supported him. Composed of original compositions written during his recuperation, it is a work filled with vitality and joy. (C)RS