Sumi Tonooka

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Sumi Tonooka (born October 3, 1956 in Philadelphia ) is an American jazz pianist , lecturer and composer .

Tonooka, who started playing the piano at the age of seven, grew up in a multicultural environment; her father was African American, the mother has Japanese roots. Her first role models were Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk , whom she saw live when she was thirteen. Through her acquaintance with Kenny Barron , she came to Boston at the age of 15, where she completed her pianistic training a. a. continued at Margaret Chaloff ; She studied jazz and composition with Charlie Banacos . She finished her studies on her return to Philadelphia and received a Bachelor of Arts from the Philadelphia College Of Performing Arts , where she studied with Bernard Peiffer . She had her first professional job in 1974 in the band of Philly Joe Jones , in which Odean Pope also played, and then led her own ensembles in her hometown, including a. with Robin Eubanks . In 1984 she released her debut album With an Open Heart ; since then she has made several albums under her own name with musicians such as Rufus Reid , Craig Handy , Lewis Nash , Akira Tana , etc. a. recorded for the Candid label.

Throughout her career, Tonooka has worked with musicians such as Kenny Burrell , Little Jimmy Scott , Sonny Fortune , Red Rodney , Benny Golson , Erica Lindsay , Bobby Zankel and David Fathead Newman . For a long time she formed a team with bass player Rufus Reid .

In addition to her musicianship, she was active as a composer for numerous film scores (such as the documentary Queen of the Mountain , 2005). She has also taught at Bard College and Dutchess Community College in Hudson Valley near New York and was assistant to Kenny Barron at Rutgers University .

Her playing is influenced by Bud Powell , Lennie Tristano , Hank Jones and Mary Lou Williams , with whom she also received lessons.

Discographic notes

  • Taking Tme (Candid, 1990) with Craig Handy, Rufus Reid, Akira Tana
  • Here Comes Kai (Candid, 1991) with Rufus Reid and Lewis Nash
  • Secret Places (Joken, 1999) with Rufus Reid
  • Long Ago Today (Arc, 2004) with Rufus Reid

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personal data
SURNAME Tonooka, Sumi
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz pianist
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd October 1956
PLACE OF BIRTH Philadelphia