For those unaware, in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tomohiro Mori was forced to temporarily return to his hometown of Fukuoka, Japan, from his base in New York. During this period, he worked on creating music with local musicians and developed these compositions through performances on domestic tours.

After returning to New York in 2022, Tomo collaborated with his close musical friends, including trumpeter Benny Benack III, to fine-tune each track, leading to the creation of this album. He explored the expressive potential of the classic jazz style, bebop, and handled all aspects of the album himself, including performance, composition, string arrangements, and production.

Additionally, internationally highly regarded percussionist Keita Ogawa, known for his work with the Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy, contributed to the album. The title track, “Prana,” meaning energy or life force, highlights Tomo’s vibrant work, influenced by his experiences in Japan and New York over the past few years.

1. Genesis
2. Coast
3. Prana
4. Pedalada
5. Let Me Stay
6. Osterville
7. Hazy Game
8. Racoon
9. Heights

This scintillatingly crafted new album opens on the veritably cinematic, soaring and sweeping Genesis, before taking a much quieter, less flared approach to Coast, then we get the gently fervent, jazz-blues of the titular Prana and then the wholly impassioned Pedalada is brought forth.

Along next is the supremely elegant Let Me Stay and the languishingly ornate Osterville, and they are in turned followed seamlessly by the playfully flirtatious Hazy Game, the recording rounding out on the robustly rhythmic Racoon, closing on the sheer elegance of Heights.

The album cover design is inspired by the idea of an “invincible raccoon, scarred but empowered by the pandemic, defeating enemies (the virus and its effects) and forging a new future.” You will not want to miss Tomohiro Mori’s future activities, which reflect the strength he has gained through overcoming the pandemic.

Drummer, composer and educator, Tomohiro Mori was born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1992. He started playing the drums at age 3 and piano at age 5. Being raised by musical parents, Tomo was exposed to music at a very early age. His mother and father, who played piano and guitar respectively, formed a family band and played Beatles covers, in which Tomo was an active part of.

Originally, Tomo wanted to form a band with friends around his age. Although he initially did not have a strong interest in jazz, his pianist friend called Tomo to form a jazz band. Finally, he started playing jazz and formed a jazz band with his friends when he was thirteen years old. He has performed in gigs and music festivals around his hometown with this group.

After studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, he released three albums “Grand Slam”, “Uptown Bound”, and “Prana” under his name and has become one of the most promising artists in New York City. He also plays a vital role in connecting the jazz scenes of New York and Japan.

www.tomohiromori.com

Tomohiro Mori @ Facebook