DAIRO MIYAMOTO “Last Picture” CD

*Produced/liner notes: Jun Miyake

Dairo Miyamoto, one of Japan's leading multi-reed players, sadly passed away last year. His "last album," which he had been working on since his death, is now complete, produced by Jun Miyake, his long-time friend of 40 years.

"Dairo Miyamoto was an indispensable presence in my music. I assumed he would always be there. With an approach that delightfully defied expectations, he sometimes shocked his fellow performers, sometimes brought smiles, and added color to the music. "He brings a sense of depth and emotion to the music, but he's no longer here. I want to dedicate this album, which contains his final moments of brilliance, to him." - Jun Miyake

Dairo Miyamoto, a multi-reed player whose trademark was his white baritone saxophone and who has been active at the forefront of the jazz scene since the 1980s, passed away on October 11, 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. Miyamoto has been actively releasing and performing live with Tropical Jazz Orchestra, where he was a member for 20 years, as well as his own units PINK BONGO and CROSS COUNTER. The musician who was in this position was none other than Jun Miyake.

Miyamoto has been a close friend of Miyake's since their days at Berklee in the 1970s, and has participated in all of Miyake's albums from his debut album "June Night Love" (1983) to his latest album "Lost Memory Theatre -act-2-" (2014). In the midst of his battle with illness, he approached Miyake about producing a solo album that he considered to be his "last album." The two began work on the album in 2016. However, Miyamoto left the album without seeing it completed. But Miyake, who was left behind, decided to give shape to this work, which was also Miyamoto's long-cherished wish. As a result of searching for "what would be the best original album possible," they arrived at the completion of this work, "Last Picture."

This work, which insists on Miyamoto Dairo performing himself, features a variety of Miyamoto's performances, focusing on recent recordings that have never been released on CD before, such as songs he provided for the stage play "Ghosts." The album is made up of 12 pieces by Miyake. Among them is the multi-track saxophone quartet piece "Last Picture," written specifically for this album and the last recording he made before his death. It is a powerful performance that deeply moves the hearts of listeners. We hope you will enjoy the sincere performances of this great player, Dairo Miyamoto, who was loved by many music fans and musicians, to the fullest on this final original album.

■Track list