Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band

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The Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band was a 16 piece jazz big band created by pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and tenor saxophone / flutist Lew Tabackin in Los Angeles in 1973. In 1982 the principles moved from Los Angeles to New York city and re-formed the group with new members under the name, The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin. Akiyoshi arranged all of the music for the band and composed nearly all of the music recorded by the group over a 30 year period. Tabackin served as the band's featured soloist on tenor saxophone and flute. The group recorded 22 albums, toured in North America, Japan and Europe and, after the move to New York, had regular performances at the jazz club "Birdland" before disbanding in 2003. The band's recordings received several Grammy nominations and regularly scored high in Down Beat magazine's critic's and reader's polls.

[edit] Discography

Main article: Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band Discography

Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band Discography
Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band Albums
Kogun \| Long Yellow Road \| Tales of a Courtesan (Oirantan) \| Road Time \| Insights \| March of the Tadpoles \| Live at Newport '77 \| Live at Newport II \| Salted Gingko Nuts \| Sumi-e \| Farewell \| From Toshiko With Love / Tanuki's Night Out \| European Memoirs
Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra Albums
Ten Gallon Shuffle \| Wishing Peace \| Carnegie Hall Concert \| Desert Lady / Fantasy \| Four Seasons of Morita Village \| Monopoly Game \| Tribute To Duke Ellington \| Hiroshima - Rising From The Abyss \| Last Live In Blue Note Tokyo
Compilation Albums
NOVUS Series ‘70: The Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lew Tabackin Big Band \| Eternal Best / Best 8 \| The Best of Toshiko Akiyoshi
Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra Video Performances
My Elegy \| Strive For Jive

[edit] Awards / References / External links

All Music Guide
Down Beat magazine
Down Beat magazine Critic's Poll awards:

Jazz Album of the Year: 1978 (Insights)
Best Big Band: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
Best Arranger: 1979, 1982, 1990, 1995, 1996 (Akiyoshi)
Best Composer: 1981, 1982 (Akiyoshi)
Best Flute: 1980 (Tabackin)

Grammy award nominations:

Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Big Band: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1994
Best Arrangement on an Instrumental (Akiyoshi): 1981, 1983, 1985, 1994