Kimiko Kasai

Kimiko Kasai (笠井 紀美子, Kasai Kimiko) (born December 15, 1945) is a retired Japanese jazz singer.

Kimiko Kasai
Born (1945-12-15) December 15, 1945
Kyoto, Japan
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Vocalist
Years activemid 1960s–1998
Labels
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1990)​

Biography

Kimiko was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1945. She first became interested in jazz at the age of 13 after hearing Chris Connor's song "All About Ronnie" on the radio. At age 16 she moved to Tokyo and started performing in jazz clubs. Her first recording was with Japanese pianist Yuzuru Sera in 1968[1]

Kimiko's first album as a solo artist was entitled Just Friends in 1970. In the following year, Kimiko sang the advertising jingle of "Cup Noodles," a brand of the world's first instant cup noodle ramen.[1] In June 1972, she signed on an exclusive contract with CBS/Sony,[2] and recorded Satin Doll with support of Gil Evans during Evans' first visitation to Japan.[3][4]

Later she recorded many albums in collaboration with musicians in the jazz field, such as Teo Macero, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Paulinho Da Costa,[2] Billy Higgins,[5] Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock.

In the 1980s, Kimiko stopped performing and later moved into the jewelry design business.[1]

Discography
  • 1968: The Modern Playing Mate (Union) – Yuzuru Sera Trio introducing Kimiko Kasai
  • 1970: Just Friends (London) – Live
  • 1971: Yellow Carcass in the Blue (TBM) – with Kosuke Mine Quartet
  • 1971: One for Lady (Victor) – with Mal Waldron
  • 1972: Umbrella (CBS/Sony) – works of Hiroshi Kamayatsu
  • 1972: Satin Doll (CBS/Sony) – with Gil Evans Orchestra
  • 1973: What’s New (CBS/Sony)
  • 1974: In Person (CBS/Sony) – Featuring Oliver Nelson
  • 1974: Thanks Dear (CBS/Sony)
  • 1974: Kimiko Is Here (CBS/Sony) – with Cedar Walton Trio
  • 1975: This Is My Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero, with Lee Konitz and Stan Getz
  • 1976: We Can Fall in Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero
  • 1977: Tokyo Special (CBS/Sony)
  • 1978: Round and Round (CBS/Sony)
  • 1979: Butterfly (CBS/Sony) – with Herbie Hancock. Reissued (Be With Records, 2018).
  • 1982: Kimiko (CBS/Sony)
  • 1982: Love Connection (CBS/Sony)
  • 1984: Love Talk (CBS/Sony)
  • 1984: New Pastel (CBS/Sony)
  • 1985: Watching You (CBS/Sony)
  • 1986: My One and Only Love (CBS/Sony)
  • 1987: Perigo a Noite (Eastworld)
  • 1990: Kimiko Kasai (Kitty) – with Cedar Walton Trio

Filmography
  • Hairpin Circus (1972) as Rie Mizukami

References
  1. Suzuki, Rami (2018-05-20). "Interview / Kimiko Kasai". Ban Ban Ton Ton. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  2. "インタビュー / 笠井紀美子" [interview / Kimiko Kasai]. BAN BAN TON TON (in Japanese). 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  3. Segawa, Masahisa (1988). Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans (booklet). Nippon Phonogram. p. 3. 28JD–10138.
  4. "International News Reports / Tokyo". billboard. Vol. 84, no. 44. October 28, 1972. p. 56.
  5. Zade, Wayne. ""From Soul to Spirit, Spirit to Soul": Billy Higgins on Jazz and Japan". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 2011-11-12. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
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