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| Yuka Mito Celebrates The Release Of Her New CD How Deep is the Ocean Wednesday, October 30th 7:00 PM @ Don’t Tell Mama A regular performer at Jazz At Kitano for nine years, Yuka Mito splits her time performing in New York and her native Japan, singing fresh and lively renditions of swinging jazz standards. Building upon the success of her previous recording Love In The City, Yuka Mito is joined by a top-notch Japanese rhythm section consisting of pianist Hiroki Morioka, bassist Iwao Masuhara, and drummer Yoshifumi Nihonmatsu. This time around she was also fortunate to have engineer Dave Darlington (winner of four Grammies and a contributor to major projects with such artists as Whitney Houston, Wynton Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, and Sting) working on the mixing and mastering of her album. Her set begins with a swinging version of "Too Darn Hot, " one of several numbers that not only feature Yuka Mito's memorable singing but the tasteful piano of Morioka. Yuka next excels on a heartfelt version of the Carpenter's hit "Close To You" and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Agua de Beber." She contributes a sweet vocal to "How Deep Is The Ocean" and effortlessly sings the complex closing section of the arrangement which has her switching between keys. Masuhara contributes a melodic bass solo to the performance. "How High The Moon" features her leading an uptempo performance and scatting a bit. Nihonmatsu contributes a chorus on drums that adds to the piece's momentum. How Deep Is The Ocean concludes with a sensitive version of "Alfie" and an upbeat rendition of "Corcovado." Yuka Mito was born and raised in Tokyo, taking piano lessons starting at the age of six. She did not start singing until she was 23 but soon gained experience singing Japanese and American pop songs in clubs. She moved to New York to attend the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music where she discovered and fell in love with jazz. Yuka majored in Jazz Vocals and also studied privately with Dori Levine, Stephanie Nakasian, and Luciana Souza. After school, Yuka returned to Tokyo where she sang in jazz clubs, eventually deciding to make New York her home. She worked regularly at Jazz At Kitano for nine years until the onset of COVID. Yuka has also worked at other New York venues (including Don't Tell Mama and Club Bonafide) and in Japan (Jazz Spot J, Rakuya, and Tokyo Club). Her previous albums include Time After Time and Love In The City, both of which have her joined by pianist Allen Farnham, bassist Dean Johnson, and drummer Tim Horner. The release of How Deep Is The Ocean displays Yuka Mito's continued growth as a singer along with her obvious love for swinging jazz. Artist: YUKA MITO Title: HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN Artist Website: http://yukamito.com Release Date: October 11, 2024 Label: Nana Notes Records UPC Code: 195269322434 TRACK LISTING 1. Too Darn Hot 3:39 Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter 2. Close To You 3:37 Music by Burt Bacharach, Lyrics by Hal David 3. Agua de Beber 3:45 Music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes 4. How Deep is the Ocean 5:01 Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin 5. How High The Moon 3:06 Music by Morgan Lewis, Lyrics by Nancy Hamilton 6. Alfie 5:44 Music by Burt Bacharach, Lyrics by Hal David 7. Corcovado 4:52 Music and Lyrics by Antonio Carlos Jobim All of the songs were arranged by Iwao Masuhara MUSICIANS: Yuka Mito - vocals, Hiroki Morioka - piano, Iwao Masuhara - bass, Yoshifumi Nihonmatsu - drums write your comments about the article :: © 2024 Jazz News :: home page |