Yuko Mabuchi, Jazz Pianist & Composer

Composer and pianist Yuko Mabuchi, jazz phenomenon, was born in Fukui, on the west coast of Japan, north of Kyoto. She moved to the United States in 2016 and has been building a strong reputation as a jazz pianist and composer in the United States. In addition to her jazz gigs around North America, Yuko volunteers with the Watts-Willoughbrook Youth Symphony, where she is a beloved member of the community.

Yuko’s debut album with Yarlung Records, the Yuko Mabuchi Trio, was recorded March 30th and 31st, 2017 at the Brain and Creativity Institute’s Cammilleri Hall, designed by Yasuhisa Toyota. This is the same concert hall where Yarlung also recorded Misha, Sophisticated Lady jazz quartet, and Nigel Armstrong.

Yuko was joined by Del Atkins on bass and Bobby Breton on drums. What a trio!

Yuko Mabuchi Trio

Drs. Antonio and Hanna Damasio graciously hosted Yarlung’s return to the Brain and Creativity Institute’s Cammilleri Hall to record and celebrate Yuko Mabuchi Trio performing improvisations on music by Miles Davis. Jazz trumpet virtuoso and Sophisticated Lady jazz quartet veteran JJ Kirkpatrick joined the Trio for this project. Yuko, Del and Bobby very much enjoyed working with JJ, as did the Yarlung team.

Yuko Mabuchi Plays Miles Davis

Ikumi’s Lullaby, a new work by Yuko Mabuchi, commission underwritten generously by Ann Mulally opened the concert, but will be preceded in the eventual album by the upbeat Milestones, by Miles Davis. The rest of the program includes So What, Blue In Green, Nardis, All Blues, another Yuko original Sky With No Tears, and finally Missing Miles, the culmination of the concert, which Yarlung Artists commissioned from Yuko with underwriting generously provided by Stephen A. Block, Raulee Marcus and Leslie Lassiter.

Arian Jansen joined Bob Attiyeh as recording engineer, Brad Michel and Ricardo Ryan at Merging Technologies consulted on the sound, and Billy Mitchell and Elliot Midwood served as associate producers.