JUN IIDA, Bellflower

When Jun Iida released his debut album Evergreen in 2024, the Japanese-American trumpeter introduced himself as a gifted improviser, thoughtful composer and musical storyteller whose influences stretched across geography, culture and genres. Two years later, his sophomore collection, Bellflower builds naturally on that foundation while revealing a deeper and more expansive sense of artistic purpose. Rich in melody, reflection and emotional nuance, the album finds Iida exploring themes of memory, friendship, perseverance and the ongoing search for direction in an increasingly chaotic world.

The son of Japanese immigrants, Iida grew up immersed in a wide range of musical traditions while moving through several distinct cultural landscapes, from Pittsburgh and Cleveland to Seattle, Los Angeles and now New York. Those experiences have long informed his compositional voice, but Bellflower feels less like a travelogue than a meditation on what we carry forward from each chapter of our lives. Named both for the delicate purple flower (symbolizing gratitude, humility and friendship) and a street in Cleveland where Iida and his college friends once gathered to contemplate their futures, the album serves as a reflection on growth, uncertainty and possibility.

As on his first album, what immediately strikes the listener’s heart is Iida’s great gift for melody. Whether navigating the bustling energy of the opener “Rivers and Bridges,” the whimsical, dancing spirit of “Hotaru Nights,” or the soulful fusion textures of “Marco the Phoenix,” his trumpet artistry remains lyrical and inviting even during the most adventurous improvisational passages. He possesses a warm, expressive tone and an instinct for storytelling that keeps the music grounded in richly textured warmth and resonance rather than virtuosity alone.

Several compositions engage more directly with the larger questions that animate the project. “Will They Remember?” combines a thought provoking spoken-word commentary by Zelda Harris and free-flowing improvisation in a meditation on empathy, sacrifice and collective memory, capturing a contrast between the wondrous beauty and anxious turbulence of contemporary life. By contrast, “Chasing Peace,” inspired by a memorable Ahmad Jamal quote from a conversation with Herlin Riley on keeping stamina up on tour, offers a gentle oasis of reflective meditation on amid the album’s more energetic moments. The closing title track serves as the thematic centerpiece, evolving from a wistful ballad into a vibrant ensemble conversation that mirrors the camaraderie, uncertainty and optimism that inspired its creation.

Throughout this extraordinary set, Iida finds grand camaraderie with an exceptional ensemble featuring pianist Chris McCarthy, guitarist Masami Kuroki, bassist Giulio Xavier Cetto, drummer Jongkuk Kim, percussionist Takafumi Nikaido and vocalist Zelda Harris. Their contributions add color, texture and personality while reinforcing the album’s spirit of collective discovery.

Like the bellflower itself, the music balances fragility and resilience. Bellflower the album is ultimately less concerned with arrival than with the journey itself—an engaging, thoughtful and deeply human statement from an artist continuing to grow while honoring the experiences, relationships and lessons that shaped him along the way.