Joe Fonda & Satoko Fujii at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts And Cultural Center

About

Intimate and mercurial, Duet features the adventurous musical exchange between two masters of their art. Pianist Fujii and bassist Fonda tap a rich vein of musical understanding in this collaboration showcasing a lifetime of experience and artistry. The woody sound, intense physicality, and percussive quality of Fonda’s bass contrasts beautifully with Fujii’s more flowing lines. When they add trumpeter Kappa Maki, the music grows richer and even more complex and layered.

The group has released one recording, 2016’s Duet, which captured their second ever performance together. The rapport between them is magical and they seem to anticipate each other, sometimes spontaneously playing the same phrases at the same time, finishing each other’s thoughts, or concluding independent lines simultaneously.