Yuko Mabuchi
Yuko Mabuchi started playing classical piano at age 4, in her hometown of Fukui, Japan. As a teenager she was fascinated by American R&B, Hip-Hop and Blues. After hearing the music of some o f the Jazz greats, she fell in love with Jazz and after high school began her study jazz piano. She was soon performing locally as a soloist, and as a member of a local jazz trio.
In 2010, Yuko arrived in Los Angeles to further her studies and had the opportunity to perform at some of LAs top venues. Returning to Japan in 2013, she performed with her trio until returning to the US in 2016, continuing to develop her very unique performance style.
The Yuko Mabuchi Trio has performed at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, opening for Branford Marsalis, Blues Alley in Washington DC as a guest of the National Cherry Blossom Japanese Jazz series, the Richmond Jazz Festival (VA), Detroit Institute of the Arts, SFJazz, the San Jose Winter Fest’, the Walt Disney Hall (LA), as featured pianist with ICYOLA, and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, to name a few.
Yuko has released six CDs: “Waves” (Vista Records, 2011) “My Life” (Vista Records, 2014) collections of original compositions. Her project, “The Yuko Mabuchi Trio” (Yarlung Records, 2017) was recorded LIVE at USCs Cammilleri Hall, and topped the audiophile charts. Her fourth project, “Tribute To Miles,” (Yarlung Records, 2019) was awarded “Jazz Album of the Year” by Native DSD, has been released on CD and vinyl.
“YUKO,” is a double CD, 2020 release. (Vista Records) Her latest project entitled “The Caribbean Canvas” (Vista Records 2022)
As a result of her efforts, Yuko received a 2019 Commendation from the City of Los Angeles, recognizing her work as a Jazz advocate, including her work with the Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory where she volunteers as accompanist for the Watts-Willowbrook Youth Symphony and Watts-Willowbrook Strings.
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Yuko Mabuchi is a wisp of a woman, petite and delicate, until she sits down at the piano. Then, before our very eyes, she transforms into a mighty giant! THE NEW ARTIST SERIES: YUKO MABUCHI By Dee Dee McNeil / Jazz Journalist