CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing) invites you to an intimate solo set of Latin jazz and original compositions by pianist/composer/arranger Chiemi Nakai. Bursting with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Japanese-influenced sympathetic melodies, her music expresses a profound joy that is by turns hot and reflective. Suggested donation $15.
Immediately preceding the concert, from 4:30 – 6:30 pm, you are invited to join us for an Opening Reception with wine with painter Marianne Gunther, whose work will be on exhibit at CRS in January and February.
A native of Japan, pianist/composer/arranger Chiemi Nakai began classical training at a young age and moved in the direction of jazz, Afro-Cuban music and salsa. Her talents were recognized early by some heavy hitters such as Albert “Toottie” Heath in 1992.
In 1993, she began to play in “Mamborama,” — led by Yoshi Yamada(b) — which is the most remarkable Latin jazz & salsa group in Osaka, and joined its recording work in 1997 (“Japonismo”). 
She came to NYC in 1998 to expand her music career and in 2000 entered Aaron Copland School of Music/Queens College to study big band jazz arrangement under Michael Phillip Mossman (tp). There she also took lessons under Sir Roland Hanna (p). She graduated Queens College/M.A. Jazz Performance in 2002.
In 2002, she joined Jimmy Bosch (tb) band, and also played with “Omi Odara” and Juan Carlos Formell (b), “The Cuban Mission” which combines Juan’s compositions with Afro-Cuban folk.
In 2006, she performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall with Carlos del Pino(b) Cuban project, which collaborates with the music of Cuban contemporary music composer Miss Tania Leon.
Since 2002 she has been a band leader of “Chiemi Nakai the Afro-Cuban Jazz Project” and playing at several clubs in NYC such as Blue Note, Jazz at Kitano, Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe, Willie’s steak house and so on. Their first album “bridges” was released in March 2008 and was nominated as one of “Next Generation Artist” CDs in the Latin Jazz Corner Best Latin Jazz of 2008 Award. Moreover, it was selected as one of the Top 6 Latin Jazz CDs of Diskunion Japan /Union Award 2008. In 2013 she released a piano trio album called “Transformation.” She is currently finishing up a new album to be released in 2015.
http://www.chieminakainy.com
January 201510 6:30 pm