Fri, Jul 17, 8:00 PM
Award winning trumpeter Jun Iida leads his NYC-based quintet on an international tour, showcasing new compositions alongside beloved jazz standards. Drawing inspiration from the rich history of jazz and Black American Music, born from systems of oppression and exploitation, Iida aims to convey powerful messages of freedom, hope, and resilience through his music. His Japanese heritage and cultural influences shape his sound, blending the improvisational spirit of jazz with the expressive nuances of traditional Japanese music to create a unique and dynamic musical voice. BELLFLOWER is a testament to Iida’s Japanese heritage and eclectic influences. A superb trumpet player with a smooth, rich tone and exceptional improvisational command, he writes music that is both hip and deeply enjoyable. Backed by a stellar band whose individual voices shine throughout, BELLFLOWER more than fulfills the promise of his acclaimed debut. “On Bellflower, Jun Iida blends post-bop sophistication, cinematic atmosphere and emotional storytelling into one of the year’s most immersive contemporary jazz recordings.” (Paris Move) with Jun Iida -trumpet, Dylan Hayes -piano, John Lee -drums and Kenji Wagner -ba