Chihiro Yamanaka
New York City, New York, United States | MAJOR
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
I’ve been very impressed by a tiny powerhouse emerging from the rich music education houses of Boston (including the very special "university" known as George Russell), Chihiro Yamanaka.
- by George Lane - GMN Jazz
Among the pleasant surprises of this year’s Fifth Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival was the sparkling performance of the 2000 edition of Sisters in Jazz. Assembled through international collegiate competitions sponsored by the International Association of Jazz Educators, this energetic quintet features some of Jazz’ finest upcoming female talent.
Go to their new Artist Page and watch the video of their performance as well as clips from interviews that Billy Taylor did with each member of the group. View their outstanding set and meet vocalist Lisa Kelly (University of North Florida), flautist Ann Drummond (Manhattan School of Music), pianist Chihiro Yamanaka and drummer Karen Teperberg (both from Berklee School of Music) and bassist Brandi Disterheft (Humber College). All part of our month-long celebration of Women in Jazz. - GMN Jazz
“This woman had chops to burn and played with
real fire and melodic finesse!”
- by Bret Primack - GMN Jazz News Letter
“Very unique arrangement and very strong
performance.” - Down Beat
“Chihiro Yamanaka has truly original voice and
great technique on her piano playing. ” - Swing Journal
“One of the greatest talents in Jazz for decades.” - Jazz Life
Discography
"Runnin' Wild" (2009) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Janel Reichman: clarinet
Tim Collins: vibraphone
Avi Rothbard: guitar
Yoshi Waki: bass
Luca Santaniello: drums
"Bravogue" (2008) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Vicente Archer: bass
Gene Jackson: drums
"After Hours" (2008) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Avi Rothbard: guitar
Yoshi Waki: bass
"Japan Gold Disc Award" Grand Prix at jazz category
"Abyss" (2007) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Vicente Archer: bass
Kendrick Scott: drums
*Swing Journal Jazz Disc Award 2007 "Japan Jazz Award"
*Swing Journal Readers' Poll "Album of The Year 2007"
"Lach Doch Mal" (2006) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Larry Grenadier: bass
Jeff Ballard: drums
*Swing Journal Readers' Poll "Album of The Year 2006"
"Outside by the Swing" (2005) Verve/Universal
Chihiro Yamanaka: piano
Robert Hurst: bass
Jeff "Tain" Watts: drums
*Swing Journal Jazz Disc Award 2005 "New Star Award"
Photos
Bio
“This woman had chops to burn and played with
real fire and melodic finesse!”
-GMN Jazz News Letter by Bret Primack
“Very unique arrangement and very strong
performance.” -Down Beat Magazine
“Chihiro Yamanaka has truly original voice and
great technique on her piano playing. ” -Swing Journal
“One of the greatest talents in Jazz for decades.”
-Jazz Life magazine
After graduate Berklee College of Music, Chihiro had 7 albums from Verve/Universal Music Japan and two albums from EmArcy Europe. All her Albums got the first place in many jazz chart. ”After Hours” had won “The Japan Disc Award Jazz Album of the Year2009”. And "Abyss" had Swing Journal's Album of the Year .
She has performed "100 Gold Fingers Piano Concerts”
-as one of 10 pianists, Cider Walton, Kenny Barron, Junior Mance, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut. Also had appeared numerous New York Jazz club and prestigious venues includes Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall the Vienna State Opera House, JVC Jazz Festival, Russian Jazz Festival, The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, The Tokyo Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, Roma Jazz Festival, etc.
Chihiro Yamanaka’s trio is going to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center NYC on July 27th-31st.
Links
