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Yoko Miwa

Critically acclaimed pianist and JVC Victor Entertainment Recording Artist Yoko Miwa has spent the past decade honing one of the most musical trio sounds on the jazz scene. Miwa is an artist with a unique sound, style and meaning to her fans. In addition to being voted Best Jazz Act by the Boston Phoenix in the 2012 Best Music Poll, The Yoko Miwa Trio made their Blue Note NYC debut in 2014 to rave reviews. “Miwa had just as much fun sending the rhythm section away and swinging by herself as she did engaging in a tightly spiraling, interlocking web of melody…pensively spacious minor-key blues, a scampering right hand against a stern left, tension and release around a central tone, intricately conversational interplay with the guys in her fantastic trio…She’s fun to watch and just as tuneful.” — The New York Music Daily. The Yoko Miwa Trio released their major label debut CD in Japan titled Act Naturally on the JVC Victor Entertainment label in 2012 and she toured Japan with her trio that same year to rave reviews. “She is one of the best jazz pianists in Japan,” said Yozo Iwanami, Jazz Hihyo Magazine. She was appointed an Assistant Professor of Piano at Berklee College of Music in 2011. She has played sold out shows in NYC and Boston, and she was chosen to play a special concert, Marian McPartland & Friends at Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center, as part of The Coca-Cola Generations in Jazz Festival.

Live at Scullers Jazz Club, her trio’s fifth and most accomplished CD, was released in 2011. It was described as “picture perfect” by Marc Myers on JazzWax, who goes on to say, “Also worth noting are Miwa’s originals Mr. B.G. and Silent Promise which build with passion and grace.” The CD was chosen as among the Best CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes.

Miwa, a native of Kobe, Japan, was classically trained and didn’t pursue an interest in jazz until she met and studied with Minoru Ozone, a popular television organist and nightclub owner who is the father of pianist Makoto Ozone. Miwa worked at Ozone’s club and as an accompanist and piano instructor at his music school until the great Kobe earthquake of 1995 destroyed both facilities. Then, while continuing to take private lessons from Minoru Ozone, she also pursued musical studies at the Koyo Conservatory in Kobe. From there she won first prize in a scholarship competition to attend Berklee. Miwa quickly began playing with a host of talented students and teachers, and she formed a strong bond with vocal great Kevin Mahogany, who chose the pianist to serve as accompanist in his classes and on his gigs.

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Yoko Miwa and Dave Stryker Plus A Valentines Salute to Blanche Calloway

Read "New Releases From Yoko Miwa and Dave Stryker Plus A Valentines Salute to Blanche Calloway" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This Valentines Day broadcast includes new releases from pianist Yoko Miwa, vocalists Ada Bird Wolfe, Valentina Marino, Laila Biali and guitarist Dave Stryker, plus birthday shout outs to Blanche Calloway, Carmen Staaf and Sharel Cassity, among others. Also remembered was vocalist and educator Carol Fredette. Thanks for your continued support. Please help all of these fine musicians -buy their recordings to support them through this time of lockdown. Playlist Jihee Heo “ Oh, New York" from Are You ...

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Album Review

Yoko Miwa Trio: Songs Of Joy

Read "Songs Of Joy" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


A steady gig must be a Godsend to any jazz musician. The chance to work on stage and on schedule can be the cornerstone to artistic development and a melding of the ensemble mind. For pianist Yoko Miwa, that steady job was, for a decade and a half, at Les Zygomates Wine Bar and Bistro in Boston. Then the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 hit, and those doors closed, limiting Miwa's ability to publicly shape and present her music.

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Radio & Podcasts

More Holiday Releases, Grammy Nominations and a Peek into 2021

Read "More Holiday Releases, Grammy Nominations and a Peek into 2021" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast features more nods to Grammy nominees as well as new holiday releases from the 3D Jazz Trio, vocalists Amber Weekes, Jonathan Karrant, Carla Hassett and bassist Brian Bromberg, with other new recordings by Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger, Laura Fernandez, Tom Keenlyside plus a single from Yoko Miwa's upcoming 2021 release. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown.Playlist Tom Keenlyside “The Summer Knows" from ...

Album Review

Yoko Miwa: Keep Talkin'

Read "Keep Talkin'" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Tra le jazz ladies giapponesi che operano negli Stati Uniti (ad esempio Satoko Fujii e Miho Hazama), Yoko Miwa è la meno nota al pubblico italiano ed è un peccato visto l'alto valore di questo disco e dei sette già realizzati. Nata a Kobe 49 anni fa, Yoko ha studiato pianoforte nel suo Paese dall'età di quattro anni e ha proseguito al conservatorio e con Minoru Ozone, organista jazz e padre di Makoto Ozone. Nel 1997 ha vinto ...

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Multiple Reviews

3x3: Piano Trios: August 2019

Read "3x3: Piano Trios: August 2019" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Yoko Miwa Trio Keep Talkin' Ocean Blue Tear Music 2019 When Yoko Miwa and her trio-mates get to talking, it's no wonder they only want to keep going and going. Their playful bantering elevates everything on offer here, from a couple venerable standards through a handful of playful originals showing the same jaunty swing. The leader's style shows a fine mix of steadily catchy rhythms at the low end and smooth ear-pleasing leads on top. ...

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Album Review

Yoko Miwa Trio: Keep Talkin'

Read "Keep Talkin'" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Pianist Yoko Miwa was born in Japan, but she has set up shop in Boston, where she teaches at Berklee College of Music. She has also—beginning in 2003 with Fadeless Flower (Polystar Records)—previously released seven CDs. The superb Keep Talkin' brings that number of recorded offerings from Miwa to eight. The music of Keep Talkin' says that Miwa has fully embraced an American state of mind, beginning with the title tune, a Miwa original that sounds like something ...

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Live Review

Yoko Miwa Trio at Scullers

Read "Yoko Miwa Trio at Scullers" reviewed by Doug Hall


Yoko Miwa Trio Scullers Jazz Club Boston, MA October 26, 2017 Inside Scullers' new smaller jazz nightclub downstairs, with its dark wood interior and low light, it would be quiet except for the wonderfully energized and spirited enthusiasm that internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Yoko Miwa brings to the stage. Exuding confidence--or more like pride without ego--Ms. Miwa brought her audience into the conversation about her life, her music and her passion for jazz. ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performing at les Zygomates in Boston on January 31

Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performing at les Zygomates in Boston on January 31

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts


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Performance / Tour

Japanese Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performs at les Zygomates in Boston on New Year's Eve

Japanese Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performs at les Zygomates in Boston on New Year's Eve

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

This New Year's Eve, jazz pianist Yoko Miwa is performing at Les Zygomates Wine Bar and Bistro in Boston on Saturday, December 31, 2011. Yoko performs solo piano from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m, and then with her trio from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. to usher in the New Year. There is no cover charge, but reservations are recommended. Call 617 542-5108. A native of Kobe, Japan, Yoko studied piano at Koyo Conservatory before coming to Boston on a full ...

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Performance / Tour

Japanese Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performs at Ryles on Sunday, November 13

Japanese Jazz Pianist Yoko Miwa Performs at Ryles on Sunday, November 13

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Japanese jazz pianist Yoko Miwa is performing at the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To see the Sunday Brunch menu, click here. For upcoming jazz events at Ryles, located at 212 Hampshire Street in Inman Square, click here. You can find a list of jazz brunches in Massachusetts taking place throughout the year, or visit MassJazz.com for a schedule of concerts, night clubs, campus ...

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Performance / Tour

Japanese Pianist Yoko Miwa Performing Two Free Concerts at Boston's Jazz in July Series on Tuesday, July 26

Japanese Pianist Yoko Miwa Performing Two Free Concerts at Boston's Jazz in July Series on Tuesday, July 26

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Japanese jazz pianist Yoko Miwa is performing two free concerts in downtown Boston, as part of the Jazz in July concert series, on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. At noon Yoko and her trio perform at Shopper's Park at Washington and Franklin Streets in downtown Boston, starting at noon. Then in the afternoon Yoko gives a solo performance at Les Zygomates starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets to this event are free but reservations are suggested. The Jazz in July series is ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz in July Series Kicks Off in Downtown Boston on Friday, July 1 with Yoko Miwa Trio

Jazz in July Series Kicks Off in Downtown Boston on Friday, July 1 with Yoko Miwa Trio

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

The popular Jazz in July series of live jazz performances sponsored by Downtown Boston BID kicks off on Friday, July 1, 2011, with a live set by the Yoko Miwa Trio from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Summer Street in front of Macys Department Store. And later that evening, the Andrew Van Tassel Quartet performs at Hyatt's Terrace at Avenue One from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. For a full schedule of events in this year's Jazz in July series, click ...

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Performance / Tour

Greg Abate and Yoko Miwa Performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Wednesday, June 1

Greg Abate and Yoko Miwa Performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on Wednesday, June 1

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

Jazz saxophonist, composer and teacher Greg Abate is performing with pianist Yoko Miwa at Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Guest Suites by Hilton Hotel in Boston on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets to the show are $22 ($60 for dinner and show) and can be ordered online. Located at 400 Soldiers Field Road in Boston's Allston neighborhood, Scullers is regarded as one of the country's best jazz venues. For a schedule of upcoming events at Scullers ...

“Simply a first class, straight up, straight ahead player whose sole mission is to step up and deliver the goods,…” –Midwest Record Review

Pianist Yoko Miwa displays unpretentious melodies, elegant phrasing, and the lyrical sensibility of a jazz poet.” —Jazziz Magazine

Primary Instrument

Piano

Credentials/Background

Berklee College of Music - Assistant Professor, Piano Department

Photos

Concerts

May 16 Thu
May 16 Thu

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Songs Of Joy

Ubuntu Music
2021

buy

Keep Talkin'

Ocean Blue Tear Music
2019

buy

Pathways

Ocean Blue Tear Music
2017

buy

Act Naturally

JVC Victor
2012

buy

Canopy of Stars

Self Produced
2008

buy

The Lonely Hours

From: Songs Of Joy
By Yoko Miwa

Mr. B.G.

From: Live at Scullers Jazz Club
By Yoko Miwa

Videos

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