Tokyo Blue

Tokyo Blue was formed in 2008 by Japanese bassist Hiroaki Maekawa, Indonesian pianist Ywenna Carollin and Cuban drummer Pablo Calzado Morales to compose and perform original instrumental music in Singapore, where they’re currently based in.

Heavily influenced by international artists and composers including Hiromi Uehara, Avishai Cohen, Marcus Miller, Joe Hisaishi and more, Tokyo Blue’s music has essences of Jazz, Fusion, Latin, Progressive Rock and even Film music. The trio uses sweet melodies with funky rhythm section and odd meters at times, constantly pushing their limits of jazz writing and improvisation while still keeping the songs melodious and story-full.

After wowing local music lovers and industry veterans with their instrumental forays into jazz, local jazz trio Tokyo Blue stepped it up a notch with debut album ‘The Naked Soul’ which was released in October 2009, promised songs that bare the core of their beings and push the edge of experimentation.

The trio has since performed at various jazz festivals in the region: Penang Island Jazz Festival, Jakarta Jazz Goes to Campus, Singapore’s Mosaic Art Festival and Bangkok Jazz Festival.

The Tokyo Blue trio has a distinct sound featuring the adventurous bass playing, aggressive yet sensitive piano and rock solid drum beats. The album also includes variety of tunes that reflect the different sides of their personalities.

With the tunes featuring pounding rock riff on piano, mellow fretless bass taking the lead, disco beat with montuno, melodious odd meter piano with double bass, funky latin beats with slap bass and more, Tokyo Blue demonstrates their capabilities to write creative and meaningful tunes, and even to entertain through instrumental music.

The trio just released their second album in November 2012 and had their album launched at Singapore’s esplanade waterfront stage.