
“Iida has a mellow tone and a relaxed style […] his wide interests in music and versatility are on display."
- Scott Yanow, Downbeat Magazine
“For a debut album, Jun Iida reaches the summit! “Evergreen” is all about balance—everything is perfectly calibrated, beautiful, intelligent, and one simply allows oneself to be carried away… with this artist we are certainly only at the beginning of delightful surprises. We are moved by the overall quality of this album because one can sense how much the composer has poured his soul into this project.”
- Thierry de Clemensat, Paris Move
“Iida's trumpet delivers a lush, mellow tone. His improvisations are thoughtfully presented, surprisingly inventive, and highly inflected with ornamentations both classic jazz and Japanese-inflected elements. He swings in a style which is totally unique. Evergreen is a texturally-varied debut album from Iida and his exceptional musicians. It is colorful and, at times, enchanting, stimulating both ear and mind.”
- Nick Mondello, All About Jazz
“Iida is able to bring in elements of his upbringing, along with touches of classical, and even hip-hop rhythms. As a result, songs such as the title track “Evergreen” and “Shiki No Uta” are uniquely contemporary yet forward leaning. Iida’s solos are elegant and engrossing while the band is given moments to shine to make the entire album a treat. Evergreen by Jun Iida smokes from beginning to end. It’s a fine way to start 2024.”
- Preston Frazier, Slang of Ages
“A new name to us. Trumpeter Jun Iida - a US player of Japanese descent whose style recalls the much missed Roy Hargrove a bit - here on a very pleasant set of originals and standards. The vocals of Audrey Johnson are tucked under melody lines and ingeniously add to the arranging style. Let's hope that Evergreen gets heard because Iida clearly has something to say.”
- Stephen Graham, Marlbank
“All compositions are reflective of both his Japanese heritage and his command and fluency in jazz composition and stylings, the two worlds being complementary and mutually enriching on this showing. The diversity of mood and style, not to mention thoughtful programming of tracks, is a real strength of this album. All in all, there is a great deal to enjoy here.”
- John Arnett, London Jazz News
“I love the way Jun Iida blends pop and jazz music in a contemporary style, without ever losing the essence of ‘Straight-ahead’ jazz or the important roots of jazz music. He also incorporates his Japanese culture into this artistic work. Jun’s muted trumpet takes center stage and instantly reminds me of a young Miles Davis. I admire Jun’s melodic sense. It streams through his music like Santa Ana winds, full of warmth and power, with memorable lines of melody. I am intrigued by this new artist and look forward to many more recordings of progressive and imaginative music.”
- Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs
“The greatness of Iida's trumpet playing lies in the musical diversity and a balanced, classic jazz trumpet sound. The latter is perhaps best demonstrated in the first track "Gooey Butter Cake", where it almost evokes Chet Baker: we can hear a soft trumpet "sound" and a story-telling improvisation. Overall, 'Evergreen' is a unique modern jazz album and an outstanding debut for the talented trumpeter.”
- Robert Maloschik, JazzMa
“Trumpeter Jun Iida has a sweet Kenny Dorham-style to his horn … The genius here is the melding of Iida’s horn with the ethereal voice of Johnson. Givenchy with a Bodhi tree.”
- George Harris, JazzWeekly
“The debut album from trumpet/flugelhorn player Jun Iida, “Evergreen,” is among the most imaginative and original jazz albums we’ve listened to (yet) in 2023. As you listen to the opener, “Gooey Butter Cake,” an original by Jun, you’ll quickly realize why we consider him an “up and comer” – a true winner!”
- Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“Evergreen […is] a dynamic affair, smoothly shifting between styles while maintaining a cohesive tone.”
- Robert Ham, Earshot Jazz