SIMA | Sydney Int'l Women's Jazz Fest

Kira Kira is an explosive, dynamic, instrumental quartet

‘Their sound may enter your body conventionally enough via the ears, but it rushes straight to the central nervous system, so you seem to feel it with every nerve-ending.’ John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

Satoko Fujii (piano; Japan), Natsuki Tamura (trumpet; Japan), Alister Spence (fender rhodes electric piano; Australia), Tatsuya Yoshida (drums; Japan).

Fujii is recognised internationally as a leading composer and performer in contemporary jazz and improvised music with accolades including Best Composer of the Year, (2018, Downbeat Magazine, US), and Artist of the Year (2021, New York City Jazz Record).

Kira Kira’s music has been described as ‘awe-inspiring’ (AllAboutJazz), and ‘an absolute triumph’ (AusJazz.net). Since its formation at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival in 2017 the quartet has toured Japan and Australia (2017), USA and Canada (2019), Europe (2023), and Japan in 2024.

Fujii, Tamura, and Spence have performed together regularly in duo, trio, quartet, and large ensemble settings since the Satoko Fujii Quartet and Alister Spence Trio first shared the stage at the 2008 Tokyo International Jazz Festival. Over the last 16 years they have established a strong collective musical identity based on their fearless curiosity and outstanding creative abilities. They have released four albums together.

The performance at Sydney Women’s International Jazz Festival 2024 will showcase new music written by all four band members and featured on the band’s second album, Kira Kira Live, to be released to coincide with the Australian tour.