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Monday Michiru

Monday Michiru (full name: Monday Michiru Mariano), so named to reflect her Japanese, Italian and American heritage, is also the genesis of renowned jazz musicians, NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi and cult jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano, as well as jazz saxophonist-flutist Lew Tabackin who helped raise her. While she showed natural talent playing flute from a young age, studying classically at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy on scholarship, her inspiration in music caught fire with singing, composition and music production. In 1987, Monday was scouted by Japanese movie director, Shinji Somai, to debut in the lead role as an opera singer in his movie “Hikaru Onna” (“Luminous Woman”). Somai was renowned to pick up unknown talent and throttle them to stardom, and the film did not disappoint, garnering Monday Best New Actress awards from the Japan Film Academy (Japan’s equivalent to the Academy Award in the U.S.), Kinema Junpo, and the Yokohama Film Festival. Opportunities continued for Monday through lead roles in movies, stage theatre and television, as well as in other fields such as hosting her own radio programs (J-Wave, FM Tokyo), modeling for major campaigns (Four Roses, Kinema Junpo, Japan Postal System, Yves St. Laurent, etc.), writing columns in Japanese publications, and DJing in clubs.

Starting in 1991, Monday began releasing solo albums in Japan of original material for major record labels (Universal, Virgin, Sony), as well as collaborating with then up-and-coming artists DJ Krush, United Future Organization, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Mondo Gross and others, the releases making their way to the Asian, European, Australian, South American and the U.S. markets. Collaborations continued with worldwide renowned artists such as Basement Jaxx, Masters At Work, Joe Clausell, Lisa Ono, Da Lata, Jazztronik, P'taah, Jephte Guillaume, Louie Vega, Steal Vybe, and more. 

While Monday's name has become synonymous with the ‘90s Japanese underground club scene, even earning her the title as the "acid jazz diva," she is quick to rebuke such labeling. One only needs to explore her vast collection of works to hear the musical development over the years in which she has crossed over and beyond the scope of dance music to a style that is undeniably hers; Monday is the rare female singer/songwriter who also produces her own works.

Monday has appeared in numerous music festivals and clubs worldwide as a solo artist, including the Blue Note Clubs in NYC and throughout Japan, Innervisions Festival in London, Birdland in NYC, Brasil SummerFest in NYC, Billboard Clubs in Osaka and Tokyo, Joe’s Pub in NYC, Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan, Java Jazz Festival and Jak Jazz in Indonesia, Newport Jazz Festival in Madarao, Bohemian Caverns in D.C., North Sea Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Stuttgart Jazz Festival, and many more. 

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10
Take Five With...

Take Five with Monday Michiru

Read "Take Five with Monday Michiru" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Monday Michiru Since her solo album debut in 1991, songstress-flutist Monday Michiru has released albums on an annual basis both as a soloist and collaborator. Known as one of the pioneers of the Japanese acid jazz movement and boasting countless dance floor and radio hits worldwide, Monday's compositional style and repertoire has evolved to that which is undeniably hers, with reflections of jazz, soul, Brazilian, folk and other urban and world flavors. Born in Tokyo, Japan to ...

4
Album Review

Monday Michiru: Soulception

Read "Soulception" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Matters of the spirit are examined in Soulception, the compelling release from Monday Michiru--a multitalented Japanese American singer, composer, and actress, who has released over a dozen successful albums in Asia, Europe, Australia, and South America. An avid producer influenced by diverse sources, she's got that certain crossover appeal that is fluent in urban R&B, contemporary jazz, rock and infectious Brazilian rhythms, resulting in music that's not easily categorized, yet is thoroughly engaging. With the expert assistance ...

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2

Recording

Songstress Monday Michiru's Acoustic Passion Project 'Enso' Album Release

Songstress Monday Michiru's Acoustic Passion Project 'Enso' Album Release

Source: Monday Michiru Mariano

Japanese-American songstress/flutist/producer Monday Michiru entitled the album ENSO to have two meanings: 円相 = a calligraphy illustration of a circle depicting the Zen Buddhist concept of an expression of the moment as well as the cycle of life. The other meaning 演奏 = means performance. “I wanted to revisit my roots which started in classical music and give a nod to the sonic journey that led me to where I am today, to come full circle." A friendship forged with ...

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Education

Storytellers Workshop NYC Presented By Songstress Monday Michiru And FoSn, A Series Of Lyric Writing Seminars In NYC

Storytellers Workshop NYC Presented By Songstress Monday Michiru And FoSn, A Series Of Lyric Writing Seminars In NYC

Source: All About Jazz

Songstress Monday Michiru and FoSn presents “Storytellers Workshop NYC,” a series of lyric writing seminars in the Big Apple, kicking off their fall session with four weekly classes (November 4th, 12th, 18th and 25th, 7:00-9:00 p.m.), and ending with a student showcase “Lyricists Lounge” at Club Bonafide on December 8th (3:00 p.m.). About Monday Michiru Born in Japan, Monday’s musical and cultural perspectives were formed not only by her upbringing in both Japan and coastal U.S., but also by her ...

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Interview

Monday Michiru Interview

Monday Michiru Interview

Source: All About Jazz

Monday Michiru interview This interview is part of the book project “under your skin" which will include Interviews with: Anthony Braxton, Ornette Coleman, Cindy Blackman, Taj Mahal, Yusef Lateef, Matt Waugh, Bob James, Skip McDonald, Erika Stucky, Living Colour, Dj Rob Swift, Marilyn Crispell, Dick Griffin, Billy Bang, Kahil El Zabaar, Michael Ricci (allaboutjazz.com), Val-Inc, Jungle Brothers, KutMasta Kurt, Chico Freeman, Bobby Watson, Eddie Henderson, Dinosaur Jr, Lydia Lunch, Jack Dejohnette, ...

92

Recording

It's Your Last Chance to Join Monday Michiru's Latest Project!

It's Your Last Chance to Join Monday Michiru's Latest Project!

Source: All About Jazz

Monday Michiru is a hip talented artist from ArtistShare. Her music is a fusion of music from different genres. She also makes her music danceable. She has worked with the king of Japanese underground club music, Mondo Grosso and a leading Japanese DJ, DJ Krush. ArtistShare is excited to deliver her latest project, “Flow" to all the participants on March 31! Yes, her project is getting closer to completion. But you can still participate and have a special access to ...

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Recording

Japanese-American Songstress Monday Michiru Releases "Routes"

Japanese-American Songstress Monday Michiru Releases "Routes"

Source: All About Jazz

Underground Music Muse Monday Michiru's Self-Produced Album “Routes" Under Grammy-Winning Internet Label ArtistShare To Be Released on December 15, 2005

Monday Michiru, long in the forefront of Japan's underground music scene, has teamed up with the innovative internet music company and label ArtistShare, and is set to release her new album “Routes."

A year in the making, the album is part of a bigger project entitled “Routes - Project 2005" which she launched exclusively through her website in December, 2004. ...

115

Recording

Japanese-American Songstress Monday Michiru Makes her American Debut - Dec 31, 2004

Japanese-American Songstress Monday Michiru Makes her American Debut - Dec 31, 2004

Source: All About Jazz

New York, NY - Monday Michiru, long in the forefront of Japan's underground music scene, has teamed up with the innovative internet music company ArtistShare for her first US-based full length release. The delightfully organic “Naked Breath" is a departure from Monday's previous, more production-intensive works: a beautifully intimate guitar-and-vocal duet album, it features her own original compositions and accomplished Manhattanbased jazz guitarist Adam Rogers. Monday was based in Tokyo for over 13 years before moving back to the States ...

“...she’s got that certain crossover appeal that is fluent in urban R&B, contemporary jazz, rock and infectious Brazilian rhythms, resulting in music that’s not easily categorized, yet is thoroughly engaging.” — All About Jazz

“At a time when music is in a state of flux mostly as a result of the virtual collision of idioms and metaphors, it is a joy to hear the voice of Monday Michiru.” — Latin Jazz Network

“Michiru has been able to parlay her pedigree into a significant career of her own, staking a place within jazz as singer and composer crafting danceable but artistically significant Brazilian flavored acid-jazz and soul with an underground flair...Multi- talented with a lot to show for it, Monday Michiru’s lack of any commercial success in the American market is a bit baffling and the uncompromising Soulception likely won’t break her into it. But that’s on us Americans, not her. The few Yanks who will find this record are likely to consider themselves lucky that they did.” — Something Else

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Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

LYRICIZE - Lyric writing workshops and private lessons. Workshops are twice a year, and held online once a week for 4 consecutive weeks, one-hour each session. Capped at 20 people, we work on various exercises (varies session by session). Private lessons also focuses on lyrics.

Flora Purim
vocals
Milton Nascimento
guitar and vocals
Steely Dan
band / ensemble / orchestra
Stevie Wonder
keyboards

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Routes

ArtistShare
2023

buy

ENSO

Sonic Image
2022

buy

Naked Breath 2

My Crib Records
2017

buy

Brasilified

Billboard Japan Records
2013

buy

Soulception

Adventure Music
2012

buy

Videos

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