Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii studied classical music until she was 20 before developing her improvisational abilities with jazz pianist Fumio Itabashi. After graduating from Berklee College Of Music, she returned to Japan to work as a television and recording studio musician. In 1993, Fujii returned to America on a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music where her tutors included Paul Bley, with whom she made her first recording, INDICATION (1996). In 1998, Fujii displayed her range with two albums, LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW, a trio set with Mark Dresser and Jim Black, and a big band album, SOUTH WIND. In striking contrast was 2001’s APRIL SHOWER with violinist Mark Feldman, which plunged headlong into avant-rock and free jazz.