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| YUKA MITO CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF “LOVE IN THE CITY” Wednesday Sept. 20th at Don’t Tell Mama  Jazz singer Yuka Mito releases her long-awaited second CD, a set of five standards and two originals performed with a world-class rhythm section. Love In The City is coming out just prior to Yuka's highly anticipated Sept. 20 CD release show at Don't Tell Mama in New York.YUKA MITO CELEBRATES THE RELEASE OF "LOVE IN THE CITY" Wednesday Sept. 20th at Don't Tell Mama Yuka Mito, vocal Allen Farnham, piano Dean Johnson, bass Tim Horner, drums Vincent Herring, saxophone Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Door open: 6:15 p.m. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. Place: Don't Tell Mama Address: 343 West 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, NYC Artist: YUKA MITO Title: LOVE IN THE CITY Artist Website: www.yukamito.com Release Date: September 15, 2023 Label: Nana Note Records TRACK LISTING 1. I Got Rhythm 5:03 Music by George Gershwin, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin 2. Love In The City 4:49 Music by Yuka Mito, Lyrics by Yuka Mito (enriched by Monday Michiru) 3. My Funny Valentine 5:33 Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Lorenz Hart 4. Four Brothers 3:22 Music by Jimmy Giuffre 5. Memory Of Father 5:47 Music & Lyrics by Yuka Mito 6. Love Me Or Leave Me 4:14 Music by Walter Donaldson, Lyrics by Gus Kahn 7. I'll Remember April 5:07 Music by Gene de Paul, and Lyrics by Patricia Johnston and Don Raye All of the songs were arranged by Allen Farnham MUSICIANS: Yuka Mito - vocals, Allen Farnham - piano, Dean Johnson - bass, Tim Horner - drums, Vincent Herring - saxophone Yuka Mito is a top-notch jazz singer who is equally skilled at swinging standards, creatively scatting, and warmly embracing a classic ballad. On her second release, Love In The City, she is joined by pianist Allen Farnham, bassist Dean Johnson, and drummer Tim Horner for a set of fresh interpretations of standards plus the debut of two of her originals. The program begins with a joyful rendition of "I Got Rhythm." Yuka sings the rarely-heard verse, scats in her own style, and welcomes guest alto-saxophonist Vincent Herring. The arrangement by Farnham uplifts the vintage standard and serves as an exciting opener. Yuka Mito's "Love In The City" expresses her affection for New York City where her jazz life began. She then sings tenderly on a quietly emotional version of "My Funny Valentine" that she takes as a duet with the pianist. The mood shifts completely on her stirring revival of "Four Brothers" which finds her scatting up a storm. Yuka's "Memory Of Father" is her original and affectionate song about her late father, remembering both childhood experiences and his last days. "Love Me Or Leave Me" is taken at a perfect medium-slow tempo that best displays Yuka's infectious and individual phrasing. The memorable set concludes with a hard-swinging version of "I'll Remember April." Born and raised in Tokyo, Yuka Mito had piano lessons from the age of six. She did not start seriously singing until she was 23, at first performing Japanese and American pop songs in clubs. But after coming to New York a few years later to attend the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory Of Music, Yuka fell in love with jazz. She became a Jazz Vocal major and immersed herself in the music, particularly loving the singing of Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Dinah Washington, and Jane Monheit. Yuka has been an important jazz singer ever since developing as both a stirring scat-singer and a superior interpreter of ballads. Yuka worked regularly at Jazz at Kitano for ten years (2009-2019) until the onset of the COVID pandemic. She has also performed at other major clubs in New York (including Club Bonafide, Tomi Jazz and Rockwood Music Hall) and Japan. In 2011 Yuka recorded Time After Time, an impressive album that utilized the same rhythm section (Farnham who also provided the arrangements, Johnson, and Horner) that is heard on her new album. The release of Yuka Mito's Love In The City will be celebrated on Wednesday Sept. 20 at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th St, NYC 10036). The doors open at 6:15 and her show starts at 7:00. Reservations and further information can be found at www.donttellmamanyc.com. write your comments about the article :: © 2023 Jazz News :: home page |