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Haruna Fukazawa - Plays at the Wrong Time

by | Oct 6, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

ALBUM REVIEW

Haruna Fukazawa - Plays at the Wrong Time

Label: Orange Paw Records
Released: July 31, 2026

Haruna Fukazawa is a killer jazz flutist who grew up in Tokyo and eventually made the leap to the New York jazz scene to really stretch her creative wings. She actually started out with a heavy classical background, but her musical world completely flipped when she discovered jazz and ended up being mentored by the absolute legend Frank Wess. That classical precision combined with a deep, soulful love for swing gives her playing this amazing edge. Whether she is leading her own quintet at iconic rooms like Blue Note or drop-kicking a groove on the alto flute, she just has this incredibly warm, expressive style that makes complex jazz feel totally welcoming and fun.

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The Music

Opening with title track, Plays at the Wrong Time,  a super breezy track built on this bouncy, feel-good rhythm where Haruna Fukazawa pairs up with Steve Wilson on flutes. The sound isn't at all what I'd expect with a non concentric melody. Dynamic solos by Steve Wilson on soprano sax and David DeMotta on piano really push this groove. Hot opener. A lush arrangement of Victor Young's, When I Fall in Love, really is strong. It starts out as a slow, drifting ballad, evolving into  sumptuous jazz waltz. Pairing of Wilson and Fukazawa together on flutes is brilliant. .
With it's Latin rhythm, set by Steve Johns on drums and reinforced by DeMotta, Hot & Spicy, Sometimes Sweet, is lively and an open road for Fukazawa's intuitive soloing. Potent soprano sax work by Wilson breaks the sweetness of the track with a bit more thickness and DeMotta's piano interlude followed by Johns high sticking further enhances the depth.
 Blue Mitchell's Fungii Mama is a lot of fun with it's calypso rhythm. Fukazawa and Wilson carry the intro but DeMotta really lays out the first melodic solo nicely. Fukazawa really slides into the groove on this one with certain intuition and lush tone. Working together with Wilson also on flute and highlighting Bill Moring on bass, this is one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping the release is an alternate take on Young's, When I Fall In Love. Playing a duet with Wilson, also on flute and alternating the tempo separately, this is a really strong closer. 



πŸ“‹ Album Credits & Production Info
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  • Album Title Plays at the Wrong Time
  • Artist Haruna Fukazawa
  • Record Label Orange Paw Records
  • Release Date July 31, 2026
  • Personnel Haruna Fukazawa (Flute, Alto Flute), Steve Wilson (Soprano Saxophone, Flute), David DeMotta (Piano), Bill Moring (Bass), Steve Johns (Drums)
  • Studio Production Recorded at Trading 8s Recording Studio; Engineered by Chris Sulit; Mixed & Mastered by Akihiro Nishimura



🎼 Track Listing & Personnel
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Featured Personnel & Masters: Steve Wilson, David DeMotta, Bill Moring, Steve Johns, and Haruna Fukazawa.

  1. Plays at the Wrong Time [6:10]
  2. When I Fall in Love [6:18]
  3. Mellow Shadow [7:24]
  4. Hot & Spicy, Sometimes Sweet [7:43]
  5. Let's Cool One [8:09]
  6. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most [6:11]
  7. Fungii Mama [6:18]
  8. When I Fall in Love (Alternative Take) [Physical CD Only]



πŸ“Ί Session Video Performance
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Watch: Haruna Fukazawa Quintet play sessions from Plays at the Wrong Time



🎡 Discography & Purchase Options
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Album Title Record Label Accreditation Year
Plays at the Wrong Time Orange Paw Records Leader Studio LP 2026
Departure Self-Released Debut Studio Album 2019



My take

This record glides from catchy, flute-forward grooves to a handful of lively tracks packed with unpredictable rhythm shifts. It effortlessly moves from deep, morphing ballads to high-energy Latin and calypso beats that showcase incredible musical teamwork and standout solos.



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