When pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and trumpeter-composer Natsuki Tamura make music together, the results are always extraordinary. Their deep musical intuition and fearless creativity have shaped one of the most distinctive duos in modern jazz.

On September 19th, 2025, they will release Ki (Libra Records), their tenth duo album—a work that proves restraint can be just as daring as explosive virtuosity.

Unlike past projects filled with fiery improvisations, Ki thrives on quiet intensity. The album features seven new Tamura compositions, each named after a species of tree, alongside one Fujii original.

The entire program unfolds at a meditative, slow tempo—yet the performances remain endlessly fascinating thanks to the duo’s command of tone, silence, and emotional depth.

1. Keyaki [9:39]
2. Sugi [6:56]
3. Hinoki [9:48]
4. Kusunoki [10:00]
5. Arakashi [6:49]
6. Icho [6:34]
7. Kunugi [7:56]
8. Dan’s Oceanside Listening Post [4:52]

With seven of the eight tunes here being Tamura originals, she opens her impassioned recording on the starkly bare Keyaki and then we get the more rounded, softer edged Sugi, a quiet confidence of Hinoki, and yet a distinctively trepidatious Kusunoki follows.

Along next is a hopeful yearn within Arakashi and that is in turn backed seamlessly by the deeply encouraging Icho with the recording rounding out on the soulfully somber Kunugi, closing on the deeply succinct Dan’s Oceanside Listening Post.

Official Purchase Link

www.satokofujii.com