Faculty Spotlight: Pianist Yoko Miwa Returns to Scullers with Her Trio on 11/14
Photo Credit: Caroline Alden
Press release submitted by Ann Braithwaite
Photo Credit: Jaime Clapp
Renowned pianist and Berklee faculty member Yoko Miwa returns to Scullers Jazz Club on Wednesday, November 14 for a concert featuring longtime partners Greg Loughman on bass and Scott Goulding on drums. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $20.
Yoko has spent the past decade honing the most musical trio sound on the Boston jazz scene, and she’s on a roll. In June, the Yoko Miwa Trio was voted Best Jazz Act by the Boston Phoenix in the 2012 Best Music Poll. In July, her trio released their major label debut CD in Japan titled Act Naturally on the JVC Victor Entertainment label, and she toured Japan with her trio to rave reviews.
A native of Kobe, Japan, Yoko was classically trained and didn’t pursue an interest in jazz until she met and studied with Minoru Ozone, a popular television organist and nightclub owner who is the father of pianist Makoto Ozone. Miwa worked at Ozone’s club and as an accompanist and piano instructor at his music school until the great Kobe earthquake of 1995 destroyed both facilities. Then, while continuing to take private lessons from Minoru Ozone, she also pursued musical studies at the Koyo Conservatory in Kobe. From there she won first prize in a scholarship competition to attend Berklee. Miwa quickly began playing with a host of talented students and teachers, and she formed a strong bond with vocal great Kevin Mahogany, who chose the pianist to serve as accompanist in his classes and on his gigs.