Bellflower

On Bellflower, trumpeter and vocalist Jun Iida draws on memories of the cities, friendships and cultural influences that have shaped his life, joining contemporary jazz with touches of soul, hip-hop and Japanese musical sensibility. The production consists of nine Iida originals and a thoughtful interpretation of a composition by the late Japanese producer Nujabes, with melody and reflection taking precedence over extended displays of virtuosity. Iida's warm, clear trumpet leads a responsive ensemble featuring Chris McCarthy on piano and Rhodes, Masami Kuroki on guitar, Giulio Xavier Cetto on bass and Jongkuk Kim on drums, with Takafumi Nikaido on congas and Zelda Harris on vocals. The arrangements leave ample room for the music to breathe, moving comfortably from buoyant grooves to quieter, more searching passages while maintaining an acoustic foundation. It is a personal recording, but one whose themes of remembrance, perseverance and the pursuit of peace reach well beyond Iida's own story.