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New Releases From Yoko Miwa and Dave Stryker Plus A Valentines Salute to Blanche Calloway

by Mary Foster Conklin
This Valentines Day broadcast includes new releases from pianist Yoko Miwa, vocalists Ada Bird Wolfe, Valentina Marino, Laila Biali and guitarist Dave Stryker, plus birthday shout outs to Blanche Calloway, Carmen Staaf and Sharel Cassity, among others. Also remembered was vocalist and educator Carol Fredette. Thanks for your continued support. Please help all of these fine musicians -buy their recordings to support them through this time of lockdown. Playlist Jihee Heo Oh, New York" from Are You ...
read moreYoko Miwa Trio: Songs Of Joy

by Dan McClenaghan
A steady gig must be a Godsend to any jazz musician. The chance to work on stage and on schedule can be the cornerstone to artistic development and a melding of the ensemble mind. For pianist Yoko Miwa, that steady job was, for a decade and a half, at Les Zygomates Wine Bar and Bistro in Boston. Then the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 hit, and those doors closed, limiting Miwa's ability to publicly shape and present her music.
read moreMore Holiday Releases, Grammy Nominations and a Peek into 2021

by Mary Foster Conklin
This broadcast features more nods to Grammy nominees as well as new holiday releases from the 3D Jazz Trio, vocalists Amber Weekes, Jonathan Karrant, Carla Hassett and bassist Brian Bromberg, with other new recordings by Dezron Douglas & Brandee Younger, Laura Fernandez, Tom Keenlyside plus a single from Yoko Miwa's upcoming 2021 release. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown.Playlist Tom Keenlyside The Summer Knows" from ...
read more3x3: Piano Trios: August 2019

by Geno Thackara
Yoko Miwa Trio Keep Talkin' Ocean Blue Tear Music 2019 When Yoko Miwa and her trio-mates get to talking, it's no wonder they only want to keep going and going. Their playful bantering elevates everything on offer here, from a couple venerable standards through a handful of playful originals showing the same jaunty swing. The leader's style shows a fine mix of steadily catchy rhythms at the low end and smooth ear-pleasing leads on top. ...
read moreYoko Miwa Trio: Keep Talkin'

by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Yoko Miwa was born in Japan, but she has set up shop in Boston, where she teaches at Berklee College of Music. She has alsobeginning in 2003 with Fadeless Flower (Polystar Records)previously released seven CDs. The superb Keep Talkin' brings that number of recorded offerings from Miwa to eight. The music of Keep Talkin' says that Miwa has fully embraced an American state of mind, beginning with the title tune, a Miwa original that sounds like something ...
read moreYoko Miwa Trio at Scullers

by Doug Hall
Yoko Miwa Trio Scullers Jazz Club Boston, MA October 26, 2017 Inside Scullers' new smaller jazz nightclub downstairs, with its dark wood interior and low light, it would be quiet except for the wonderfully energized and spirited enthusiasm that internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Yoko Miwa brings to the stage. Exuding confidence--or more like pride without ego--Ms. Miwa brought her audience into the conversation about her life, her music and her passion for jazz. ...
read moreYoko Miwa Trio: Pathways

by Jerome Wilson
Yoko Miwa is a pianist operating in the Boston area whose stylistic reach touches on funky gospel, bluesy bebop and dramatic pomp. She and her long time trio jump out nicely from the first track, the surging gospel rhythms of Marc Johnson's Log O'Rhythm," drummer Scott Goulding providing a solid shuffle foundation to Miwa's pounding. They also have fun cascading up and down on another Johnson tune, After All" later on the disc.Miwa's original melodies on this disc ...
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