Biography
Japan's Akio Sasajima developed into a skilled guitarist and educator whose style leans into exploratory post-bop along with straight-ahead and fusion jazz. Born during 1952 in Hakodate, Japan, he acquired most of his abilities on his own by examining recordings from Baden Powell and Wes Montgomery. Sasajima also translated textbooks issued by the Berklee School of Music, absorbing music theory in the process. At the outset of his professional life he performed regularly throughout Sapporo, frequently alongside saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, and later took jobs in Tokyo. In the late 1970s he relocated to the United States and made Chicago his home base. Across subsequent decades he collaborated onstage with numerous prominent figures such as Randy Brecker, Jimmy Cobb, and Eddie Gomez. When not appearing in concert he maintained a teaching practice that included a three-year faculty appointment at DePaul University. From the mid-2000s onward he has resided and worked in Southern California.
Sasajima launched his recording career as a leader in 1988 with the release of Akio with Joe Henderson, an album that spotlighted the renowned jazz saxophonist. The following year he issued A Time Remembered. His discography grew more active through the ensuing ten years, beginning with 1991’s Akioustically Sound. He next appeared alongside vocalist Eden Atwood on No One Ever Tells You and followed that with his own 1993 effort Humpty Dumpty. In 1994 he recorded Interior Window together with drummer Joel Spencer. Sasajima reentered the studio in 2006 for the duo project Two for the Muse, which paired him with bassist Ron Carter. During 2014 he teamed with harpist Motoshi Kosako on Night Time Jazz Harp and subsequently toured Japan with that material. Two years afterward he issued Images of Lennon / McCartney on Tonegold, an album devoted to jazz interpretations of classic Beatles material.
Sasajima launched his recording career as a leader in 1988 with the release of Akio with Joe Henderson, an album that spotlighted the renowned jazz saxophonist. The following year he issued A Time Remembered. His discography grew more active through the ensuing ten years, beginning with 1991’s Akioustically Sound. He next appeared alongside vocalist Eden Atwood on No One Ever Tells You and followed that with his own 1993 effort Humpty Dumpty. In 1994 he recorded Interior Window together with drummer Joel Spencer. Sasajima reentered the studio in 2006 for the duo project Two for the Muse, which paired him with bassist Ron Carter. During 2014 he teamed with harpist Motoshi Kosako on Night Time Jazz Harp and subsequently toured Japan with that material. Two years afterward he issued Images of Lennon / McCartney on Tonegold, an album devoted to jazz interpretations of classic Beatles material.
Albums
