OCTOBER 17 RELEASE DATE

I found out that I’m the second Japanese female in the history of Berklee to teach on the piano faculty, the first was Toshiko Akiyoshi – I was surprised to find out many did not know her! Here she is in 1958, wow! If you didn’t know…she was a big fan of Bud Powell.

We’re very excited! Yoko is set to release her fifth CD, Live at Scullers Jazz Club on October 17. The eight songs were recorded at last year’s sold-out Scullers show. It includes three originals, including the popular “Mr. B.G.,” Yoko’s tribute to piano great Benny Green. She first made just 100 copies of the show’s recording, mostly as a memento for audience members, but got such a positive response (including regular play on WGBH–thanks Eric!) that the recording was re-mixed and mastered for a full release.

Scott Albin’s review of the Live CD on the JazzTimes Community site says, “She has the enviable ability to play in any context with authenticity, clarity, and spontaneity…” See more coverage here.

Yoko’s trio will return to Scullers in Boston on Thursday, November 17, for a CD release party. “Of course we want to go back there to celebrate,” she says. “You should be there too!”

If you’re in New York, come out to the CD release party on Friday, October 21 at Somethin’ Jazz Club (formerly Miles’ Jazz Cafe).

Stay tuned for more developments. . .

Check out this wonderful post by one of our favorite authors, Anne Briting Oleson:

Thanks to the Regattabar and to everyone who came out to the last week. What a great audience! Here’s a few seconds of the song we dedicated to Eric Jackson. So good to hear him back on the air.

Yoko Miwa is returning to the Regattabar after her nearly sold-out debut show in March. Come on out–it’s an early show. You’ll be tucked into bed before you know it. Buy your tickets NOW.

Thanks to the Regattabar, the spirit of Sheila Jordan, and everyone who came out to Yoko’s debut there. And to Jessica Clements of JClements Photography for literally working every angle to get the shot.

All About Jazz writer Gordon Marshall said of the performance: “Yoko Miwa is a graceful and soulful pianist, with a Zen-like weightless precision she can just as soon turn to down-home, swinging blues. Disciplined and deep-feeling, she incorporates an intimate knowledge of the American jazz idiom into the confines of a studied approach which, for all that, is a sincerely artistic one.”

The show opened with brief video greetings from Ms. Jordan. Her recorded acapella chant then led into the trio’s first song. Janet of the Mass. Beat blog reported:

“The first song opened up with a hauntingly beautiful voice piped in through the speakers, soon joined by Miwa on the piano in perfect harmony. Soon, the band is in full swing right out of the gate, on the first song. Pretty impressive.

This petite, pretty Japanese woman looked so delicate as she entered the room and speaks so softly when she shares her stories, smiling demurely. But when she sits down at the piano, you realize she is no pushover. Her strength and agility pour through every song. She has full command of the instrument and her passion for playing is not hidden.”

Ms. Jordan is unable to attend Yoko’s show at the Regattabar on March 9, but she welcomed a visit from Yoko last month. Here’s a wonderful video of them performing together.

Yoko debuts at the Regattabar on March 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm with a concert inspired by jazz great Sheila Jordan in honor of Women’s History Month. We’ve gotten the word: at least 100 tickets to be sold for Yoko to be considered for a return engagement. If you’re planning on coming, PLEASE buy your tickets now!

Yoko takes her place in history as one of a select group of women instrumentalists that excel in the jazz world’s version of a triple threat: a commanding bandleader; writer of complex compositions; and a performer of virtuoso ability. Sheila Jordan, legendary vocalist and a living link to jazz great Charlie Parker, learned much of her craft from instrumentalists and is renowned for her generosity in passing on her wisdom. “She’s amazing and inspiring in her dedication to the music and the jazz life. I learn so much from her every time we talk. I’m so happy to play a show in her honor,” Yoko says. See her earlier post about Sheila Jordan here.

Ingrid Monson, Quincy Jones Professor of African American Music and Interim Dean of Arts and Humanities at Harvard University and herself a trumpet player, says, “Of course there are now opportunities for women in jazz. But it’s still rare to find a woman instrumentalist and composer who rises to prominence as a bandleader.” Come to see one of the best!

Thank you to Miles’ Cafe and to everyone who came out to our first gig in New York City! The city was so festive and so much was going on–we were very happy to be a part of it. We hope to be back soon!