Yuko Ito

A native of Tokyo, Japan, she has been performing publicly in wide range of styles: pop, rock, R&B, jazz funk, gospel, free jazz and various forms of Brazilian music since high school. Her early musical career began when she founded the girl's rock band Sissy Boy, which produced two CDs: Marcy's Factory, with Vaan Media, and Kick Off Boy's, with Crown Records Japan. Even with her early success in Japan, Yuko's musical vision was broad and she chose to move to New York in 1994. A vocal coach soon encouraged her to explore jazz and eventually this led to her receiving B.F.A degree from City College of New York in music (Jazz Vocal Performance, She studied from Sheila Jordan). After a jam session Yuko attended while still in school, she was invited by jazz artist Sabir Mateen to perform with him. This encouraged her to continue to draw deeply from the jazz tradition in her work. She has performed with the Harlem Gospel Choir and appeared at Blue Note (New York), She has also performed with the Harlem Gospel Choir in Times Square on Good Morning America (ABC) and "New Yorker"( NHK BS1). 2018 July 29th She performed at Blue Note New York as a band leader featuring Latin Grammy winner Romero Lubambo.The new album "Seduzir" has been released on May 15, 2024 and has been featured on many radio programs.

Based in New York, She has performed at many of city's top venue:Blue Note New York, Russian Samovar Lenox Lounge, Jazz at Kitano The Better End, Tomi Jazz, Lanza's Antique Garage Soho and TriBeCa , Nomad restaurant, Cafe Luce and tours in Japan.

Yuko is a certified voice teacher, coach and also a recent graduate of the New York Vocal Coaching Teacher Training Program under the instruction of Justin Stoney.

The culmination of her experiences in multiple genres is what gives Ito her rebellious verve, along with jazz phrasing.

Having been lured by positive lyrics, unique beats and passionate movement, Ito incorporates a melodic structure to form a style that is uniquely hers; truly a mature songstress. Ito's passion for Brazilian music as shown by her 1st album "Mania De Você" and her 2nd album "O Cantador"co-produced by great pianist / composer Cidinho Teixeira( He played with Djavan and Gilbelt Gil and more). and her 3rd album "Esperança" . Yuko Ito, originally from Japan, has evolved into a born again Brazilian New Yorker, even her fellow native born Brazilian musician friend tough her Portuguese as being flawless and her ability to interpret the music unmatched and purely original.

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