"Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg", the stunning new solo jazz piano album from frequent finalist in major U.S. jazz piano competitions Ayako Shirasaki, will be released by Jan Matthies Records on September 7, 2010.

Shirasaki has been sharing her dramatic improvisational approach with listeners worldwide for the past 10 years, "Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg" is her 4th album.

The CD has been recorded on October 17, 2009 at the Laeiszhalle Hamburg. The German Jazz Magazine Jazzthetik had this to say about her 2009 tour: "World class. Jazz improvisation at the highest level."

Liner Notes by Marc Myers who writes JazzWax.com, a daily blog that features interviews with jazz legends and commentary on legendary jazz recordings. He also writes on jazz for the Wall Street Journal.

"Ayako Shirasaki plays with the breeze in her hands, delivering sweeping interpretations with cunning confidence that would make Bud Powell proud.”

The album features a mix of jazz classics as well as songs newly-written by Ayako:

1 - Confirmation - Charlie Parker
2 - In a sentimental mood - Duke Ellington
3 - Airegin - Sonny Rollins
4 - Mirror Mirror - Corea

Four Seasons Medley
5 - Sakura Sakura - Japanese Traditional
6 - Summertime - George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
7 - Falling Leaves - Ayako Shirasaki
8 - Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson

9 - Monkey Punch - Ayako Shirasaki
10 - Far Away - Ayako Shirasaki
11 - Nascimento - Barry Doyle Harris

Encore Request Medley 1
12 - Moonglow - Irving Mills, W Hudson
13 - My Romance - Richard Rodgers

Encore Request Medley 2
14 - Take Five - Paul Desmond
15 - St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins

Listen to audio samples available now on amazon.com: Amazon.com: Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg: Ayako Shirasaki: MP3 Downloads

Radio add date: September 7, 2010

Newsletter subscribers have the chance to win 1 out of 3 CD's. So if you haven't done so yet, subscribe to Ayako's free newsletter at Jazz Pianist ÇòºêºÌ»Ò/Ayako Shirasaki Official Web Site to be among the winners. Regardless where in the world you are, free shipping is included. Winners will be drawn and announced in the newsletter on September 7, 2010.

Order information (iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby) on these websites: Jazz Pianist ÇòºêºÌ»Ò/Ayako Shirasaki Official Web Site
http://www.janmatthies.com/ayako_shirasaki_en