Kimiko Kasai Explained

Kimiko Kasai
Background:	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Date:	15 December 1945
Birth Place:	Kyoto, Japan
Genre:	Jazz
Occupation:	Vocalist
Years Active:	mid 1960s–1998
Associated Acts:	Mal Waldron, Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock

(born December 15, 1945) is a Japanese retired jazz singer.

Biography

Kimiko was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1945. She first became interested in jazz at the age of 13 after hearing Chris Connor's song "All About Ronnie" on the radio. At age 16 she moved to Tokyo and started performing in jazz clubs. Her first recording was with Japanese pianist Yuzuru Sera in 1968^[1]

Kimiko's first album as a solo artist was entitled Just Friends in 1970. In the following year, Kimiko sang the advertising jingle of "Cup Noodles," a brand of the world's first instant cup noodle ramen. In June 1972, she signed on an exclusive contract with CBS/Sony,^[2] and recorded Satin Doll with support of Gil Evans during Evans' first visitation to Japan.^{[3] [4]}

Later she recorded many albums in collaboration with musicians in the jazz field, such as Teo Macero, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Paulinho Da Costa, Billy Higgins,^[5] Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock.

In the 1980s, Kimiko stopped performing and later moved into the jewelry design business.

Discography

• 1968: The Modern Playing Mate (Union) – Trio introducing Kimiko Kasai
• 1970: Just Friends (London) – Live
• 1971: Yellow Carcass in the Blue (TBM) – with Kosuke Mine Quartet
• 1971: One for Lady (Victor) – with Mal Waldron
• 1972: Umbrella (CBS/Sony) – works of Hiroshi Kamayatsu
• 1972: Satin Doll (CBS/Sony) – with Gil Evans Orchestra
• 1973: What’s New (CBS/Sony)
• 1974: In Person (CBS/Sony) – Featuring Oliver Nelson
• 1974: Thanks Dear (CBS/Sony)
• 1974: Kimiko Is Here (CBS/Sony) – with Cedar Walton Trio
• 1975: This Is My Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero, with Lee Konitz and Stan Getz
• 1976: We Can Fall in Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero
• 1977: Tokyo Special (CBS/Sony)
• 1978: Round and Round (CBS/Sony)
• 1979: Butterfly (CBS/Sony) – with Herbie Hancock. Reissued (Be With Records, 2018).
• 1982: Kimiko (CBS/Sony)
• 1982: Love Connection (CBS/Sony)
• 1984: Love Talk (CBS/Sony)
• 1984: New Pastel (CBS/Sony)
• 1985: Watching You (CBS/Sony)
• 1986: My One and Only Love (CBS/Sony)
• 1987: Perigo a Noite (Eastworld)
• 1990: Kimiko Kasai (Kitty) – with Cedar Walton Trio

Filmography

• Hairpin Circus (1972) as Rie Mizukami

Notes and References

1. Web site: Suzuki. Rami. May 20, 2018. Interview / Kimiko Kasai. May 12, 2021. Ban Ban Ton Ton. en.
2. Web site: May 20, 2018 . インタビュー / 笠井紀美子 . BAN BAN TON TON . May 15, 2020. ja . interview / Kimiko Kasai.
3. Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans . 1988 . Masahisa . Segawa . 3 . booklet . Nippon Phonogram . 28JD–10138 .
4. October 28, 1972 . International News Reports / Tokyo . . 84 . 44 . 56 .
5. Web site: "From Soul to Spirit, Spirit to Soul": Billy Higgins on Jazz and Japan . Wayne . Zade . All About Jazz . May 16, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111112075739/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/iviews/bhiggins.htm . November 12, 2011 .