笠井紀美子

Kimiko Kasai (笠井 紀美子, Kasai Kimiko) (born December 15, 1945) is a Japanese retired jazz singer. Kimiko was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1945. She first became interested in jazz at the age of 13 after hearing Chris Connor's song "All About Ronnie" on the radio. At age 16 she moved to Tokyo and started performing in jazz clubs. Her first recording was with Japanese pianist Yuzuru Sera in 1968 Kimiko's first album as a solo artist was entitled Just Friends in 1970. In the following year, Kimiko sang the advertising jingle of "Cup Noodles," a brand of the world's first instant cup noodle ramen. In June 1972, she signed on an exclusive contract with CBS/Sony, and recorded Satin Doll with support of Gil Evans during Evans' first visitation to Japan. Later she recorded many albums in collaboration with musicians in the jazz field, such as Teo Macero, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Paulinho Da Costa, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock. In the 1980s, Kimiko stopped performing and later moved into the jewelry design business. 1968: The Modern Playing Mate (Union) – Yuzuru Sera [ja] Trio introducing Kimiko Kasai 1970: Just Friends (London) – Live 1971: Yellow Carcass in the Blue (TBM) – with Kosuke Mine Quartet 1971: One for Lady (Victor) – with Mal Waldron 1972: Umbrella (CBS/Sony) – works of Hiroshi Kamayatsu 1972: Satin Doll (CBS/Sony) – with Gil Evans Orchestra 1973: What’s New (CBS/Sony) 1974: In Person (CBS/Sony) – Featuring Oliver Nelson 1974: Thanks Dear (CBS/Sony) 1974: Kimiko Is Here (CBS/Sony) – with Cedar Walton Trio 1975: This Is My Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero, with Lee Konitz and Stan Getz 1976: We Can Fall in Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero 1977: Tokyo Special (CBS/Sony) 1978: Round and Round (CBS/Sony) 1979: Butterfly (CBS/Sony) – with Herbie Hancock. Reissued (Be With Records, 2018). 1982: Kimiko (CBS/Sony) 1982: Love Connection (CBS/Sony) 1984: Love Talk (CBS/Sony) 1984: New Pastel (CBS/Sony) 1985: Watching You (CBS/Sony) 1986: My One and Only Love (CBS/Sony) 1987: Perigo a Noite (Eastworld) 1990: Kimiko Kasai (Kitty) – with Cedar Walton Trio Hairpin Circus (1972) as Rie Mizukami Suzuki, Rami (May 20, 2018). "Interview / Kimiko Kasai". Ban Ban Ton Ton. Retrieved May 12, 2021. "インタビュー / 笠井紀美子" [interview / Kimiko Kasai]. BAN BAN TON TON (in Japanese). May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2020. Segawa, Masahisa (1988). Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans (booklet). Nippon Phonogram. p. 3. 28JD–10138. "International News Reports / Tokyo". Billboard. Vol. 84, no. 44. October 28, 1972. p. 56. Zade, Wayne. ""From Soul to Spirit, Spirit to Soul": Billy Higgins on Jazz and Japan". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2010. Kimiko Kasai discography at Discogs