Chihiro Yamanaka

Chihiro Yamanaka is an internationally renowned, hard-swinging jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader, whose fluid, athletic technique has drawn rave reviews and very favorable comparisons to legends such as Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum. She is based in New York. Collection includes: Living Without Friday (2001); When October Goes (2002); Madrigal (2004); Outside By The Swing (2005); Lach Doch Mal (2006); Abyss (2007); After Hours (2008); Bravogue (2008); Runnin' Wild (2009); Forever Begins (2010); Reminiscence (2011); Still Working (2012); After Hours 2 (2012); Syncopation Hazard (2015).

Chihiro Yamanaka is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. She has more than a dozen recordings released under her own name, principally on the Verve label, most of which have been released internationally. As of 2012, she is based in New York City. "Reminiscence", her eighth album as leader, is packed with her unique personality, deriving from the accumulation of her years of colorful activities. She creates her unmistakable world by integrating her own swing, bluesiness, funkiness, as well as her free viewpoint towards a wide range of music genres, all in line. A contemporary jazz piano which stretches outwardly after absorbing all of the old school jazz piano - experiencing her free-spirited and full-of-personality groove is part of the thrilling joy only jazz can provide. This album seems to have a special meaning to her. The title is a reminder of the nuclear accident in her hometown of Fukushima.

Chihiro Yamanaka is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. Guilty Pleasure her post bop recording released in 2016 on Blue Note Records in Japan.

The Chihiro Yamanaka album, Somethin' Blue, is her Blue Note Records debut. Ms. Yamanaka, who most often performs and records in trio format, assembled a sextet for these sessions and created a new compositional universe that places Somethin’ Blue in the lineage of classic Blue Note recordings. Chihiro Yamanaka’s music pivots between her strikingly original compositions and her unique arrangements in which she accomplishes the impressive feat of introducing the element of surprise into some of the most famous songs in the jazz repertoire, contemporary popular music, and even the works of classical composers.

Blue Note recording artist Chihiro Yamanaka is one of the most exciting jazz pianists and composers to come out of Japan. "Because" is her creative reworking of the Beatles classics…

Chihiro Yamanaka is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. "Monk Studies", Yamanaka's 2017 album, released by Blue Note label. The Japanese piano player reinterpretes famous Monk's classics such as Misterioso, In Walked Bud, Ruby My Dear, Hackensack, and others.

Chihiro Yamanaka is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. "Monk Studies", Yamanaka's 2017 album, released by Blue Note label. The Japanese piano player reinterpretes famous Monk's classics such as Misterioso, In Walked Bud, Ruby My Dear, Hackensack, and others.

Chihiro Yamanaka ( 山中千尋 ) is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. She has more than a dozen recordings released under her own name, principally on the Verve label, most of which have been released internationally. This album marks her major debut 10th anniversary commemorative work!

Chihiro Yamanaka ( 山中千尋 ) is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. She has more than a dozen recordings released under her own name, principally on the Verve label, most of which have been released internationally. This album, recorded as Somethin' Blue Quintet, recorded live on September 26, 2014 at Blue Note Tokyo, Japan.

Chihiro Yamanaka ( 山中千尋 ) is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. She has more than a dozen recordings released under her own name, principally on the Verve label, most of which have been released internationally. This album, recorded as Somethin' Blue Quintet, recorded live on September 26, 2014 at Blue Note Tokyo, Japan.