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