The Harmonious Legacy Of Yoshie Nakayama: Nevertheless, She Persisted

From Tokyo to Boston’s Jazz Halls: A Journey of Tenacity

From the cherry blossom-lined streets of Tokyo to the prestigious halls of Berklee College of Music in Boston, jazz luminary Professor Ayn Inserto shares the extraordinary story of her colleague Yoshie Nakayama—a journey marked by talent, passion, and unrelenting tenacity.

At 44 years old, Nakayama stands as one of the most influential figures in the world/jazz music field, having broken the music academia glass ceiling by becoming the first-ever Japanese and Asian Assistant Chair of the Contemporary Writing and Production (CWP) Department at the world-famous jazz citadel—Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“As one of the rare successful female Japanese trombone players and one of the world’s most recognized arrangers of traditional Japanese music, Yoshie’s trailblazing career resonates with the impactful journeys of Japanese music legends like saxophonist Sadao Watanabe and pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi,” asserts Inserto.

The Making of a Musical Maverick

Nakayama's music odyssey begins at Tokyo’s esteemed Kunitachi College of Music. “From a young age, I felt an unexplainable connection to music. As a little girl, every morning after waking up, I would sing before speaking,” Yoshie confides. A prodigious composer and arranger, her music was featured on NHK, Japan's national broadcaster, in the acclaimed documentary Michinoku Music Route. Despite her teachers’ early skepticism, Yoshie chose the trombone—a traditionally masculine instrument—as her principal. This bold decision defied societal norms and set her on a challenging yet fulfilling career path. Her chance of succeeding as a female trombone player and arranger in a still patriarchal Japanese society was negligible at best and non-existent at worst. Yet—nevertheless, she persisted.

Thirty years later, Yoshie would star as a Trombone Girl in the Amazon Prime hit Goliath, being personally invited for the role by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton. Her hauntingly beautiful trombone performance of a Tchaikovsky composition in Goliath was a standout moment that served as a vindication of a risky career choice and years and years of hard work.

Breaking Barriers and Leading with Innovation

Known for her sweet smile and steely determination, Yoshie’s early successes led to her role as the lead arranger for the acclaimed Japanese vocal ensemble A-Cappella Cantabile! Classics and serving as a judge for numerous national traditional music competitions. And then Nakayama's talent earned her a scholarship to the world-renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, a pivotal moment in her career.

“Berklee gave me a whole new perspective in my relationship with music and jazz harmony. It felt like stepping into a world where possibilities were endless," Yoshie recalls. Her academic pursuit at Berklee allowed her to break new ground, starring as the lead trombone player at the Massachusetts State House in 2014 to celebrate the Emperor of Japan’s birthday.

Yet, it was her passion for traditional Japanese music that made her an international star and a Japanese national media darling. Spending hours in archives, through meticulous research, she rediscovered Japanese folk songs that had been forgotten for centuries and breathed new life into them with her own signature arrangements blending traditional melodies with unexpected jazz twists. “Each song I encounter tells a story of our heritage and culture,” Yoshie shares.

Her globally acclaimed jazz a-cappella arrangement of “Furusato," premiered at the International Folk Song Festival in Boston in 2015, led to Yoshie being recognized as the world’s foremost arranger of Japanese traditional songs of her generation. Her arrangements are now preserved at The National Diet Library of Japan, her country’s equivalent of The Library of Congress, and have been published and distributed globally by Hal Leonard. These arrangements have been performed in countless concert halls, empowering musicians worldwide with the beauty of Japanese traditional music.

Collaborations with Giants

Knowing as an arranger who isn't just making music, but weaving worlds together, Nakayama's career is peppered with collaborations that highlight her versatility and command in music. Imagine the sultry rhythms of Brazil blended seamlessly with the sophisticated beats of jazz when Yoshie crafted arrangements for Grammy-winning Brazilian icon Milton Nascimento. Not stopping there, she also brought her magical touch to the production for another Grammy winner, the one and only Alejandro Sanz, at the memorable RiseUp As One event, and steered the musical helm with yet another Grammy winner – a world-famous band Snarky Puppy at the GroundUp Music Festival, dazzling the audience with her inventive orchestrations. The applause barely settled before Yoshie took another leap in 2019, this time as the lead arranger for Grammy-winning sensation Victory Boyd, further cementing her status as an arranging visionary in the music world. Each collaboration is a testament to Yoshie’s unparalleled ability to bridge cultures and genres, creating jazz/traditional fusion compositions that resonate globally. “Working with such legends has been an honor and proof that music is a language we all speak," Yoshie reflects with a sparkle in her eye.

A Global Music Ambassador

As the arranging mastermind behind the American world music ensemble Univoz, Yoshie blended the smooth vibes of jazz with the rich sounds of world music to magical results. Thanks to her genius, Univoz has snagged some impressive awards on shows like PBS's Sing That Thing! and Japan's Tele-Chorus Project. Yoshie says, “Music has the power to unite no matter where we are from or which language we speak. With Univoz, we’re creating something unique that bridges cultures through sound."

In 2020, Yoshie took things to a whole new level when she started an incredible project called Songs for World Peace, supported by the United Nations. Every year, the initiative releases vocal tracks from all over the world, using music to spread a message of peace and unity. The project has received tons of praise worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. “Music transcends borders and brings people together. It’s a universal language of unity," Yoshie says, capturing the essence of her mission perfectly—spreading harmony and goodwill one song at a time.

Shattering Historical Barriers in Music Education

Yoshie Nakayama’s music journey stands as a beacon of innovation and perseverance. Breaking through as one of the rare female trombonists and arrangers in Japan, Nakayama has shattered countless glass ceilings in her career.

Recognized as the foremost female trombonist and arranger of traditional Japanese music globally in 2021, Yoshie achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first female Japanese to serve as a professor of arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston. “Teaching at Berklee is about inspiring the next generation of musicians," Yoshie passionately notes, underscoring her commitment to education.

Her remarkable music journey did not stop there; in 2023, she made history yet again as the first Japanese and Asian to be appointed Assistant Chair of the Contemporary Writing and Production (CWP) Department—one of the largest and most influential departments at Berklee, highlighting the significant impact of Yoshie’s leadership in reshaping musical education on a global scale.

Nakayama has paved the way for countless women in the industry, serving as a role model and inspiration. Her work has transcended cultural and geographical boundaries, contributing significantly to the popularization of Japanese traditional music around the world. Her arrangements are cherished by musicians globally, used in recordings, live performances, and theatrical productions, affirming her as a pivotal figure in the music industry.

Starting as a young girl, she was told she would never succeed as a female trombone player and arranger. Yet, thirty years later, Professor Nakayama is featured as one of the superstars in the best-selling Amazon book The Power Of Why: Why 29 Musicians Climbed To Superstar: And Why You Should Too and leads masterclasses presented by The Jazz Vocalist Society of Japan as the country’s foremost arranging expert.

The Harmonious Legacy

As Yoshie continues to shape the future of music at Berklee and beyond, her multifaceted legacy endures—a blend of tradition and contemporary flair, fueled by her unwavering passion, resilience, and love for music.

Yoshie Nakayama’s journey is a symphony of dedication, cultural fusion, and relentless pursuit of excellence. From a young girl defying societal expectations in Japan to becoming a world’s ambassador of music, her career is testament to her unwavering spirit and passion. Yoshie’s globally acclaimed arrangements and groundbreaking achievements have paved the way for countless female musicians, transcending borders and bridging cultures. More than just a musician, Yoshie is a role model, embodying resilience and the power of music to unite and inspire. As she continues to lead, teach, and create, Yoshie’s legacy resonates through the harmonies she crafts and the lives she touches, reminding us all of the universal language of music and the strength it takes to persist.