Home » Jazz Musicians » Sayuri Goto

Sayuri Goto

A native of Fukuoka, Japan, Sayuri Goto has been playing piano since she was four years old. As she grew up Sayuri developed a love of jazz, and soon her gift for the music became evident. After moving to New York in 1997 she studied jazz piano at the New School University and the Manhattan School of Music. She also has studied privately with such renowned jazz keyboard artists as Bruce Barth, Andy Ezrin, and Mike Longo, and Latin jazz pianist Alfredo Valdés, Jr.

Currently, Sayuri is a member of trombonist Benny Powell’s quintet, bassist Bill Lee’s Mo’ Betta’ Band, and the George Gee Big Band. She has toured with guitarist Randy Johnston and, during the spring of 2005, played for the off-Broadway show, Monk. Sayuri also has performed with such jazz artists as Carl Allen, T.K. Blue, Daniel Cater, Carla Cook, Dwayne Cook Broadnax, Joe Ford, Darryl Hall, Billy Hart, Gene Jackson, Earl May, Lonnie Plaxico, Nat Reeves, James Spaulding, and Paul West, among many others. She has appeared at numerous popular New York City jazz venues, including the Blue Note, Birdland, Sweet Rhythm, the Lenox Lounge, the Jazz Gallery, Kitano, CBGB’s, and Jazzmobile, as well as the One Step Down and Twins in Washington, D.C.

Sayuri is quickly gaining recognition in the jazz world as both an instrumentalist and a composer. Her compositions have been recorded by Benny Powell and Randy Johnston. In 2005 she produced and released her debut CD, Flashback (Fever Pitch Productions), co- produced by Benny Powell. Joined on this recording by bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Gene Jackson, Sayuri weaves a rich array of musical influences �" classical, Latin, pop, and Japanese folk music �" into a highly sophisticated and expressive jazz fabric. Her touch at the keyboard is at times strong and percussive, at other times light and delicate, and her playing is crisp, yet always lyrical. Throughout this CD her trio exhibits remarkable unity and cohesiveness, performing challenging pieces by Randy Weston, Thelonious Monk, Frank Foster, and Dizzy Gillespie, along with four of Sayuri’s original works. As jazz veteran Benny Powell predicts, “Sayuri Goto has a big future ahead of her.”

Tags

203
Album Review

Sayuri Goto: Flashback

Read "Flashback" reviewed by Elliott Simon


No other three instruments taken together can display the versatility and virtuosity of a jazz piano trio. For her debut as a leader, Sayuri Goto has added her own unique take on this format with Flashback, a session that evokes the masters while validating a beautiful new stylist. Goto has most recently been a New York City staple in trombonist Benny Powell's quintet and George Gee's big band. Co-producer Powell's musical lineage traces directly back to Basie, and Flashback's right-on ...

Read more articles
105

Performance / Tour

Sayuri Goto Trio Dec.12th-16th at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola After Hours

Sayuri Goto Trio Dec.12th-16th at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola After Hours

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Sayuri Goto Upcoming Appearances Dec.12th-16th at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola After Hours Sayuri Goto Trio Sayuri Goto(p), Essiet Essiet(b), Gene Jackson(ds) Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola Frederick P. Rose Hall Jazz at Lincoln Center Broadway at 60th Street 5th Floor 212 258-9595 Dec.22nd & 23rd at Cecil's NJ Benny Powell Quintet Benny Powell(tb), TK Blue(as,ss,fl), ...

91

Performance / Tour

Sayuri Goto Upcoming Appearances

Sayuri Goto Upcoming Appearances

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services


95

Performance / Tour

Sayuri Goto at the NYC Baha'i Center August 29

Sayuri Goto at the NYC Baha'i Center August 29

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

"Goto's clean precise touch makes her a wonderful new voice in the bop tradition, her originals display a melodically strong composer" --Elliott Simon, All About Jazz

8/29 The NYC BAHA'I CENTER Sayuri Goto, piano Kenny Davis, bass Gene Jackson, drums

The NYC Baha'i Center 53 E.11th St. (between University Place and Broadway) (212) 222-5159 Shows: 8pm and 9:30pm Gen. Adm. $15.00 Students $10.00

About Sayuri Goto: ...

88

Performance / Tour

Pianist Sayuri Goto Upcoming Appearances

Pianist Sayuri Goto Upcoming Appearances

Source: All About Jazz

"Goto's clean precise touch makes her a wonderful new voice in the bop tradition, her originals display a melodically strong composer." --Elliott Simon, All About Jazz

8/5 TOWER RECORD LINCORNCENTER 1961 Broadway New York, NY 10023 (212) 799-2500 from1pm Sayuri Goto(p) Lonnie Plaxico(b) Willard Dyson(ds)

8/9 KITANO Kitano; 66 Park Ave. @ 38th St. (212) 885-7119 No Cover $10 minimum/set 2 sets 8pm and 9:45pm Sayuri Goto(p) Kenny Davis(b) Willard Dyson (ds)

8/29 The NYC BAHA'I ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Flashback

Fever Pitch Records
2005

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.