TV REVIEWS : JAZZ: MY LANGUAGE

Clad in kimono and obi, jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi once nervously “entered and signed in” on a late ‘50s edition of the television program “What’s My Line.” Though it’s doubtful that today many would find her occupation any more unusual than that of anyone who makes a living playing jazz, it might be surprising to find that the Manchuria-born pianist is internationally recognized as a composer, arranger and leader of one of the finest big bands in jazz. The award-winning Akiyoshi is profiled in “Jazz Is My Native Language,” a documentary by Renee Cho airing tonight at 10 on KCET Channel 28. As part of the “Silk Screen” series on PBS which focuses on problems peculiar to Asian Americans, “Jazz Is My Native Language” conveys more the story of an artist’s struggle than that of a Japanese woman artist’s struggle.

Though the world of jazz is male dominated, Akiyoshi’s extraordinary success follows a pattern of survival against artistic and racial prejudice not unlike that of many other jazz artists.

“Jazz Is My Native Language” tells Akiyoshi’s story in a relaxed, natural manner. Filmed in Los Angeles, the band leader is shown at home with her husband, saxophonist Lew Tabackin, and daughter, shopping, doing the laundry and overseeing the family’s move to New York. More importantly, however, the film allows Akiyoshi to talk about her life and her music, of which much is heard throughout the hourlong program.