Yokai! is a unique jazz project by bassist Fumi Tomita with songs inspired by Japanese Yokai beings and other supernatural spirits.  Yokai are derived from Japanese folklore and have been drawn throughout Japanese history.  They come in human, animal, or even inanimate forms, sometimes at the same time!  Images of Yokai are often fantastic, bizarre, mysterious, grotesque, sometimes haunting or humorous, and overall, simply wonderful.  They prove to be a natural basis for jazz improvisation which are not necessarily grotesque or bizarre but sometimes fantastic and mysterious. The songs from Yokai! are inspired by of such supernatural being.

Yokai! features eleven songs all of which are inspired by primarily 19th century woodblock prints. Five are based on Yokai including “Daija (Monster Snake”), “Kitsune (The Fox)”, “Betobetosan”, “Amabiko (Sea Lad)”, and “Raiju (Thunder Beast)”. “Hyakki Yagyo (“A Night Parade of One Hundred Demons)”) is based on a 19th century scroll depicting a wide range of Yokai.  The remaining songs are based on other Japanese supernatural beings including ghosts (“Okiku”), magicians (“Wakana-Hime (Princess Wakana)”), and vengeful spirits (“Kiyomori”).  

Yokai! is performed by a jazz quartet featuring Carl Clements on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute; Jason Ennis on electric and acoustic guitars; Gary Fieldman on drums; and Fumi Tomita on acoustic bass.  The music is modern jazz, but the varied instrumentation allows for a diverse range of styles and moods.

https://fumitomita.bandzoogle.com/yokai-songs-of-the-japanese-supernatural