Yuki Tei

Yuki Tei was born in Hiroshima, Japan. He started playing alto saxophone at the age of 15. In 1993, after taking a rigorous exam as a high school student in Japan, at the age of 16, Yuki came to America on a full scholarship as one of four students from Japan to study in America.

Moving to New York City, Yuki was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Mannes Jazz program at the New School University. Today, he holds a B.F.A from Mannes and a M.A. from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Furthermore, he has studied jazz with great masters like Antonio Hart, Sir Roland Hanna, Michael Mossman, Rick Margitza, Jon Gordon, Mike Karn, Bob Mover, Eric Alexander, Chico Hamilton, Reggie Workman, Makanda Ken Mckintyer among many others. He has studied clarinet with Alan Kay and Hideaki Aomori.

Being born to Korean parents, raised in Japan, and living and working in the United States for many years, Yuki's cultural background brings him a unique and broad perspective from which to share not only language, but also cultural knowledge. It is natural for Yuki to believe that music, language, culture are highly connected and reflect the soul of society. Music is a borderless language that connects diverse cultures together and celebrates cultural diversity. Yuki's multi-cultural background adds further impetus to his music making.

Yuki feels fortunate to be in the creative environment of New York where he can experience the best that jazz has to offer. He is eager to be in an environment with other highly motivated musicians where he can be challenged to stretch his abilities as a musician in both jazz and classical. He also has been contributing to the music through his participation as both a musician and educator. He has toured and performed in the United States, Europe and Asia. He leads his own jazz group and plays in chamber music ensembles around the NYC area. Yuki was the recipient of the Hiroshima Young Artist Scholarship Award given by the Hiroshima International Cultural Foundation for outstanding performance.

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