European Memoirs

European Memoirs (a.k.a. Memoir in Japan) is the tenth studio recording of the Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band. Akiyoshi was nominated for a 1983 Grammy award in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for the arrangement of "Remembering Bud" on this album. This would be the final recording of the Los Angeles-based Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band before the principals moved to New York City in 1982 and formed a new big band, the "Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin" that released nine more albums and two live performance videos before disbanding in 2003.

Track listing

 * All songs composed and arranged by Toshiko Akiyoshi:

LP side A LP side B
 * 1) "Remembering Bud" – 8:55
 * 2) "Feast in Milano" – 4:50
 * 3) "Relaxing at Zell am See" – 8:14
 * 1) "Two Faces of a Nation"
 * 2) Part 1 – 9:22
 * 3) Part 2 – 10:02

Personnel

 * Toshiko Akiyoshi – piano
 * Lew Tabackin – tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
 * John Gross – tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet
 * Matt Catingub – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet
 * Bob Sheppard – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute
 * Bill Byrne – baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, alto flute
 * Buddy Childers – trumpet
 * Larry Ford – trumpet
 * Steven Huffsteter – trumpet
 * Mike Price – trumpet
 * Hart Smith – trombone
 * Dave Bowman – trombone
 * Bruce Fowler – trombone
 * Phil Teele – bass trombone
 * Bob Bowman – bass
 * Joey Baron – drums

Other
 * Anonymous – voice (on "Two Faces of a Nation," Part 1)

References / External links

 * RCA Victor (Japan) Records RVC RJL-8036
 * Ascent Records ASC 1003
 * [ Allmusic]
 * LA Times 1983 Grammy award nominations