Listen Here – Release Date: Out Now!
In a world craving renewal, THE SUPER 3 delivers a breathtaking contemporary jazz album, The Sun of a New Beginning “Winter to Spring”, released on March 29, 2025. This release is not just music, it’s a poetic journey from the frost of winter to the vibrant pulse of spring, inspired by the delicate yet resilient plum blossom.
The heart of the album lies in the creation story of SPRING FLOWER, a piece born from a poem that captured the fleeting beauty of a plum blossom blooming in late winter’s chill. Pianist Toshiyuki Kokubu, moved by the poem’s imagery of thawing snow, birdsong, and budding life, found himself at the piano, where the introductory melody emerged as if sent from the heavens. In the stillness of a 4 a.m. winter morning, the main theme crystallized, weaving a celestial soundscape that feels like spring itself singing. SPRING FLOWER became the album’s cornerstone, a sonic celebration of life’s eternal cycle, leaving only its fragrance behind.
THE SUPER 3, featuring jazz drummer Shigeo Hirayama, mastermind bassist Tatsuya Fujimura, and Kokubu, brings an electrifying synergy to the album. Hirayama’s melodic grooves draw from Asian continental influences, while Fujimura, blending classical foundations with virtuosic flair and Kansai entertainer charm, crafts unexpected musical mechanisms that elevate soloists. Together, they conjure free-flowing melodies, irregular rhythms, and hints of black music and blues, all while balancing beauty and intensity. Their innovative use of Hindemith’s augmented harmonic approach sparks improvised harmonies and unpredictable interplay, infused with “wa” and Asian elements that defy imitation.
The Sun of a New Beginning ‘Winter to Spring’ is a bold, cutting-edge exploration of contemporary jazz, melodic yet powerful, planned yet spontaneous. It’s an invitation to witness the transformation of seasons and the enduring compassion at life’s core.
Influences
Keith Jarrett, George Duke, Richard Tee, Erroll Garner, Jaco Pastorius
