Yoko Miwa in Concert
Scullers Jazz Club at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston
Details:
YOKO MIWA
Miwa began honing her musical skills in the womb. “My Mom can sing standards in English, even though she doesn’t speak the language,” explains the native of Kobe, Japan. “She wanted one of her kids to be a pianist, and would play music every night, from before I was born. I think that’s why I have perfect pitch.” By the age of four, Miwa began playing piano by ear, with classical lessons commencing two years later, and for the next decade her focus was entirely on classical music. “I didn’t know much jazz,” she recalls, “but I began to get interested when I heard ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ in a movie. A clerk in a rental store suggested that I listen to Herbie Hancock’s Maiden Voyage and some Bud Powell, but at first they sounded too difficult for me.”
Things changed after Miwa met Minoru Ozone, a popular television organist and nightclub owner who is the father of pianist Makoto Ozone. Working weekends at the elder Ozone’s club for three years was only a part of Miwa’s invaluable tutorials. “At first he gave me a tape with a three or four minute version of ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ and said ‘Learn this by ear.’ I would play two measures on the tape, rewind, and play it again. He freaked out when I came back two weeks later and not only knew the whole tune but played every note exactly as he did from start to finish, including his entire improvisation. Then he started giving me tapes with more songs on them.”
a href="http://yokomiwa.com/about/">Yoko Miwa
Wednesday
November 14,2012
Show: $20
Dinner & Show: $62
Show time:8pm