''Miki'' is the debut album from Japanese jazz pianist

Miki Yamanaka Miki Yamanaka () (born 1990) is a Japanese jazz musician currently living in New York City. Miki Yamanaka lived in Kyoto until she was 10, when she moved to Kobe. She became interested in jazz while playing in her junior high school big band. Sh ...

, released in 2018. Many of the tracks on the album have food-related names.

Critical reception

''DownBeat Magazine'' published two reviews for the album. The first of these, by Dave Cantor, states that "Even if the song titles weren’t playful, pianist Miki Yamanaka’s writing would radiate a unique buoyancy across her jubilant debut." The second, by Fred Bouchard, gave the album 3.5 stars, stating "Miki Yamanaka runs free and easy with a fresh spin on mainstream bop. Her light touch tickles airy tunes with will-o’-the-wisp turns and oddly formal grace notes... the democratic pianist gives plenty of solo space from the git-go to her top-notch bandmates." Collin Story, writing in the '' WholeNote'', declares that "Overall, Miki is a success, both on the merits of Yamanaka’s playing and on the compelling group dynamic that she has cultivated."

Track listing

''All tracks written by Miki Yamanaka unless otherwise indicated'' #Mr. Pancake – 05:34 #eYes – 05:37 #Monk's Dream (

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", "B ...

) – 06:42 #Sea Salt – 03:54 #Stuffed Cabbage – 06:15 #Book – 05:29 #A Fake Hero – 06:12 #For All We Know (

Fred Coots John Frederick Coots (May 2, 1897 – April 8, 1985) was an American songwriter. He composed over 700 popular songs and over a dozen Broadway shows. In 1934, Coots wrote the melody with his then chief collaborator, lyricist Haven Gillespie, for t ...

Sam M. Lewis Sam M. Lewis (October 25, 1885 – November 22, 1959) was an American singer and lyricist. Career Lewis was born Samuel M. Levine in New York City, United States. He began his music career by singing in cafés throughout New York City, and be ...

) – 04:55 #Wonder – 06:23 #What About Food – 06:49

Personnel

– piano * Steve Nelson – vibraphone *

Orlando le Fleming Antony Orlando Frank le Fleming (born 7 July 1976) is a jazz musician and English cricketer. Biography Cricket Orlando le Fleming made his county debut for Devon in the 1992 Minor Counties Championship against Cheshire. At the age of 15, ...

– bass * Bill Stewart – drums

References

{{reflist 2018 albums Miki Yamanaka albums