Pianist/composer Toshiko Akiyoshi: "The Toshiko Mariano Quartet"

Tonight's Jazz feature is the only domestic recording by The Toshiko Mariano Quartet. Toshiko Akiyoshi was one of the first Japanese musicians to gain national acclaim in the USA. Pianist/composer Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Manchuria on Dec.12,1929 and she is still writing and performing. She emigrated to the Us in 1956 and began recording and gigging. She met and married alto saxophone master Charlie Mariano in 1959 and they decided to form a band in 1960: hence The Toshiko Mariano Quartet. They recorded this classic album in 1960 when they found their ideal rhythm section of bassist Gene Cherico and drummer Eddie Marshall. The album consists of two tunes by Charlie Mariano and an arrangement of an old spiritual ("Deep River") plus two tunes co-composed by Akiyoshi and Mariano. This album is a beauty and is tonights Jazz Feature!