“I greatly appreciate and respect the clarity and strength in Yoko’s playing, it is very apparent – the honesty, care and depth of foundation she touches the piano with.” –Benny Green

Yoko Miwa is quickly becoming one of the most powerful and compelling pianist/composers on the jazz scene today. A native of Kobe, Japan, Miwa, who was classically trained, became interested in jazz through studies with organist Minoru Ozone, a television star and nightclub owner in Japan and father of pianist Makoto Ozone.

Miwa went on to study at Koyo Conservatory in Kobe and from there won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music to study jazz in the US. There she played with a host of talented students and teachers, most notably vocalist Kevin Mahogany. A favorite at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Miwa has played on “Marian McPartland & Friends” in the Coca Cola Generations in Jazz Festival and at JALC’s Leadership Workshop for The National Urban League’s Youth Summit.

Yoko Miwa appears regularly at the Blue Note Jazz Club and has performed and/or recorded with Sheila Jordan, Slide Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, George Garzone, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kevin Mahogany, John Lockwood and others .

She has recorded seven acclaimed CDs. Her latest, Pathways (2017), was called “her finest recording to date” by All About Jazz.  She is a Yamaha Pianos Artist, JVC Victor Entertainment recording artist, and Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll winner. She teaches at Berklee College of Music.

The Yoko Miwa Trio members include bassist Will Slater and drummer Scott Goulding.  This is their first appearance at Litchfield Jazz Festival.

YOKO MIWA TRIO | “LIVE AT REGATTABAR, CAMBRIDGE, MA!” from Kill the Ball Media on Vimeo.