WorldService Project
London, United Kingdom
Friday 17 Feb 2012
Festival City
Events have moved quickly for Japanese pianist Naoko Sakata since moving to Gothenburg in 2008 to continue her studies. If her choice of Sweden was influenced by the towering achievements of pianists like Bobo Stenson, she's proved herself an attentive student of the lyrical Nordic style, and already there is evidence that a significant voice is taking shape. Tasteful restraint, energy where it's required, a feeling for rubato and rapport with her fellow musicians all combine in this musician whose maturity is remarkable given her years. In bassist Anton Blomgren and drummer Johan Birgenius, she has found a trio partnership that is also sure to endure. In Oslo last October when she received the soloist prize at the Young Nordic Jazz Comets, and she returns to Norway in the spring to perform at the Vossa Festival.
