Three

This is the only tune on the album that I composed in Japan before coming to Boston in 2007. It was one of the first melodies that I could 'hear' in my head and bring to life through technique and arrangement. I wrote it from an instinctive, youthful perspective, and I’d consider it to be my very first jazz composition. For me, three is an important and balanced number in music. Traditional chords are determined by a triad of notes. For bands, I feel that a trio is the most freeing configuration of musicians - whether it be for jazz or the proverbial “power trio” in rock. Duos can be a slightly limiting format, and a quartet often requires a more structured arrangment. But three is supportive and freeing. I think the number is also important to me because I have two siblings, and I am the middle child.