Chie Imaizumi

Chie Imaizumi knows a few things about new beginnings. After studying piano in Japan, she studied composing at Berklee College of Music, assisted legendary Miles Davis/Thelonious Monk producer Teo Macero, spent time in Denver, and recently moved to Los Angeles to work with hero and mentor John Clayton. So it's fitting that the followup to 2007's Unfailing Kindness is a concept album about her various journeys titled A Time of New Beginnings. The album is quite the voyage itself, showcasing Imaizumi's far-reaching compositional and arranging talents. She also brought in some first-rate talent, like Randy Brecker, whose lush tone is all over "Information Overload," and Clayton, who does some fine bass work on the gorgeous ballad "Fear of the Unknown."