Primary Instrument: Piano
Since moving to New York in 1995, Eri Yamamoto has established herself as one of the citys most original and compelling pianists and composers. Jazz legend Herbie Hancock has said, My hats off to her already shes found her own voice. Eri Yamamoto has built a strong following with frequent appearances around New York, and has toured the US, UK and Japan. She has released four critically acclaimed CDs, most recently Cobalt Blue on the Thirsty Ear label.
Since 2000, Eris trio with bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi has been appearing regularly at Arthurs Tavern, a historic jazz club in New Yorks Greenwich Village. The Trio has also appeared at several international festivals and concert halls, including Cheltenham, UK; Cardiff, Wales, and throughout her native Japan. Eri recently appeared as a featured soloist at the Jazz on Rafale concert series in Montreal and as a member of William Parkers Sextet at the Roccella Jazz Festival in Italy.
Eri was born in Osaka, Japan, and began playing classical piano at age three. She started writing music when only eight years old, and studied voice, viola, and composition through her high school and college years. In 1995, she visited New York for the first time, and by chance heard Tommy Flanagan performing. It was her first experience of a jazz piano trio, and she was so inspired that she decided on the spot that she would move to New York City and dedicate herself to this music.
Later that year, Eri entered the New School Universitys prestigious jazz program, where she studied with Junior Mance, LeeAnn Ledgerwood, and Reggie Workman. While still in school, she played many gigs around New York. In 1999 she started playing regularly at the Avenue B Social Club, a popular spot among jazz musicians in the East Village. There she developed a musical friendship with fellow pianist Matthew Shipp.
She has been performing regularly with William Parker and Daniel Carter, and appears on Parkers trio CD, Lucs Lantern, for which she has been favorably singled out in many reviews, and his upcoming sextet CD, Cornmill Dance. She has also worked with such musical luminaries as Ron McClure, Andy McKee, Hamid Drake, Lewis Barns, Rob Brown, Leena Conquest, Christopher Dean Sullivan and Michael T. A. Thompson.
--Philip Clark, The Wire
”Let's agree that pianist Eri Yamamoto's days of being described as a talent deserving wider recognition
are now over. With Duologue, she now takes her rightful place as a headliner and leader.
Classically
trained in Japan, she has the touch of Matthew Shipp, her early jazz mentor. Her jazz signature is
marked by the economy of Hank Jones and the percussive attack of Tommy Flanagan.”
--Mark Corroto, AllAboutJazz.com
”Her ultra-melodic style is well executed and realized on this very enjoyable CD that has universal
appeal, crossing contemporary, progressive, and modern creative genres. This is an often wondrous,
highly listenable, and tasteful musical offering that is easily recommended for those who come across
it.”
--Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
”It's clear from note one here that Eri Yamamoto is staking out her own pianistic territory and it's a
privilege to be able to monitor her progress on her artistic journey. Her take on free and near free
territories is entirely her own, but what pervades this whole program is a deeply reflective, quasi-
spiritual strain of lyricism, and the pianist's choice of duo partners has been judicious in and crucial to
the realization of this.”
--Nic Jones, AllAboutJazz.com
”Duologue is characterized by lovely songcraft and guileless performances and is a
perfect
showcase for Yamamotos dense, impressionistic cascades and dazzling romantic swoon.”
--Jeff Stockton, AllAboutJazz-New York
It almost sounds like she had no jazz training before she came here
(New York) four years ago. How is that possible? Wow. I dont know
how anyone could get to this level in such a short period of time, but my hats off to her. It certainly
took me longer than that. This is her
tune, so that means that she can write, too. This is just the beginning,
and already shes found her own voice.
--Herbie Hancock
Yamamotos maturity is instantly evident on the title cut/opener of
Up & Coming, her self-produced debutThe five originals included here
demonstrate an extraordinarily rich compositional sensibility -- to say nothing of a delicate
touch.
--Time Out New York
As the denizens of Arthurs Tavern in Greenwich Village undoubtedly know, pianist Eri Yamamoto is
one of jazzs most dynamic new talents.
Her compositional style augments her deft, inventive playing.
-- All About Jazz-New York
Her pulsating piano, with its insistent rhythms, soon won over her audience
as she launched into a couple of her own compositions.
--Gloucestershire BBC Radio
Eri has become a fixture in the jazz world She has collaborated with some of the finest musicians in
the field and has recorded several of her own solo
jazz recordings and toured extensively with her own groups. She fully
understands the traditions of jazz and is adept at playing her own fine
compositions as well as bringing her own interpretations to the jazz standards.”
--Ron McClure
Her style is very fresh and very original, and her mysterious, simple melody is
Indicative of how talented she is. Besides her originals she plays standards
Very well and she already has her own personal expression.
--Swing Journal, Japan
"UP & COMING" (Jane Street Records 2001)
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ John Graham Davis
Drums/ Ikuo Takeuchi
"three Feel" (Jane Street Records 2002)
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ Alan Hampton
Drums/ Ikuo Takeuchi
"Colors" (Jane Street Records 2004)
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ Ben Street
Drums/ Ikuo Takeuchi
"Cobalt Blue" (Thirsty Ear Recordings 2006)
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ David Ambrosio
Drums/ Ikuo Takeuchi
As a sideplayer:
"Luc's Lantern" (Thirsty Ear Recordings 2005)
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ William Parker
Drums/ Michael T.A. Thompson
"Word Riff" (Jazz Jaunts CD 2006)
Words/ Golda Solomon
Alto Sax/ Saco Yasuma
Piano/ Eri Yamamoto
Bass/ Christopher Dean Sullivan
Drums/ Michael T.A. Thompson
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