Masako has just released a new album. “Hidden Flowers” elevates her art to new heights, whether unfurling a gentle melody, traversing a more somber, reflective soundscape, or injecting subtle moments of drama and/or playfulness. The addition of esteemed guest artists on selected tracks only deepens the emotional resonance of the music on “Hidden Flowers”.
Press release by lazzpromotions.com
Debuting to universal acclaim in 2012 with her self-titled album, Masako showed immediately that she was a musical force to be reckoned with, even in the crowded genre of contemporary instrumental/new age piano music.
Here is track 3 on “Hidden Flowers”, the wonderful “Acadia”:
Masako was born and raised in Japan and started piano lessons at age four. She worked for Yamaha Music Foundation as a certified instructor. Her interest in music is not only classical genre but rock, jazz and R&B. Masako performed as a soloist and in a band at various venues in and around Tokyo. In early 80’s, she came to know Windham Hill music and was totally mesmerized.
Years after Masako moved to the US with her family, she asked Will Ackerman (The founder of Windham Hill Record and the owner of Imaginary Road Studios in Vermont) to produce her first album. She has recorded five albums at Imaginary Road Studios so far, and her music can be heard on SiriusXM, Pandora, Whisperings Solo Piano radio and through many other media.
In the past few years, Masako performed in classical chamber music concerts, operas, and New Age music concerts including Whisperings All-Star Concert.
To her credit, she selected Grammy-winner Will Ackerman, along with engineer/co-producer Tom Eaton, to helm her first recording (and each successive one as well), but it’s Masako’s talent that anchors each of her previous four releases (Masako, 2012; Call of the Mountains, 2013; Piano Sanctuary, 2017; Underwater Whisperer, 2019).
The relatively uncomplicated style of her compositions, along with her deft control of nuance and tone, and an overall sense of warmth and compassion, all add up to a listening experience that gets more rewarding with each playing.
For more information and music samples, see masako-music.com