I don't like the phrase "child prodigy." It sounds vaguely condescending, and it brings to mind images of pushy parents forcing reluctant children to follow in the footsteps of Beethoven, Mozart and Michael Jackson.
But that term is entirely appropriate in describing one of Japan's most promising musicians, jazz pianist Takashi Matsunaga. Although he's just 16, Matsunaga is a very hot and assured player. I was lucky enough to see him play a couple of numbers at Toshiba-EMI's semiannual "Music Talks" sales presentation, where he blew the audience away with his powerful hard-bop style.
Matsunaga was joined on stage by female jazz violinist Naoko Terai, another excellent player signed to Toshiba-EMI. She is very much in the Stephane Grappelli tradition of swingin' jazz violin, playing with a verve and an obvious sense of enjoyment.