Hiromi Kanda Teams with Schmitt, Sample on New Disc

[Rick Foster]

When Hiromi Kanda released her debut album, Hiromi in Love (Music Gate/ADA/Warner Music Group), earlier this year, critics raved about the Japanese vocalist who brought a renewed elegance to such familiar Great American Songbook standards as "That Old Feeling," "My Funny Valentine" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." Rick Foster of The Sun Chronicle called Hiromi "a poised and highly professional songstress," while John Berger of The Honolulu Star Bulletin remarked, "This romantic nostalgic album by Japanese vocalist Hiromi Kanda has a timeless beauty." Jazz Times’ Christopher Loudon piled on more praise: "Blessed with a solid voice…and an impressive sense of time, Hiromi Kanda sings in a style that suggests the smokiness of Marlene Dietrich crossed with the lilt of Astrud Gilberto," he wrote.

But Hiromi is not one to rest on her laurels, and the Nagasaki-born artist—who augments her lushly orchestrated vocal interpretations with striking visual elements—is taking her artistry to the next level. For the followup, expected in early 2011, Hiromi recently teamed up with the legendary, multiple Grammy-winning producer Al Schmitt, whose long list of achievements includes classic albums by Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Ray Charles and many others.

"What an unexpected treat to work with Hiromi, whom I never worked with before," says Schmitt. "She has a wonderful voice and has love and respect for that classic era of music. She’s a great talent."

Also collaborating with Hiromi on the sophomore release is multi-instrumentalist, conductor and composer Matt Catingub, who has worked with Rosemary Clooney, Louie Bellson and numerous big bands and orchestras. Catingub’s arrangements comprised an essential component on Hiromi in Love, and he looks forward to taking Hiromi’s music to the next step.

"I’ve had such a wonderful time working with Hiromi Kanda," he says. "We’ve been able to assemble the absolute best players in the world and put down tracks that are second to none. This kind of music is rarely performed or recorded at such a high level."

Among the musicians who contributed to the as-yet-untitled album is the legendary keyboardist Joe Sample, whose work with the Crusaders and as a solo artist has earned him kudos for more than half a century.

"It was a wonderful experience to record with Hiromi," says Sample. "The choice of material was wonderful and her performances were heartfelt. That adds up to a wonderful day!"

Until the release of the forthcoming album, Hiromi Kanda continues to perfect her craft, refining her dazzling presentation of the music she has loved since she first became exposed to it in her homeland. Says Jim Linkner, production coordinator and marketing for Music Gate, Hiromi’s label, "Hiromi handles the standards with style, class and glamour. She is riveting on stage; she received a standing ovation at her L.A. showcase, her first performance in the U.S. And her upcoming second release will be a quantum leap up from the debut. She has a great and very unique voice that gives us a fresh listen to a wonderful past."