Yumi Matsutoya

Japanese singer-songwriter (born 1954) Yumi MatsutoyaAlso known asYuming, Yumi Arai, Karuho KuredaBornYumi Arai (1954-01-19) January 19, 1954 (age 72) Hachiōji, Tokyo, JapanOriginHachiōji, Tokyo, JapanGenres Pop rock jazz fusion folk rock kayōkyoku city pop Occupations Singer songwriter radio personality InstrumentsVocals, pianoYears active1971–presentLabels Express Alfa Capitol EMI Websiteyuming.co.jpMusical artist Yumi Matsutoya (松任谷 由実, Matsutōya Yumi; born January 19, 1954), nicknamed Yuming (ユーミン, Yūmin), is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. Matsutoya often writes both the lyrics and the music to her songs, and is renowned [by whom?] for her idiosyncratic voice and live performances. She is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Japanese popular music. Matsutoya's recording career has been commercially successful, with more than 42 million records sold. In 1990, her album The Gates of Heaven became the first album to be certified "2x million" by the RIAJ, and she has had twenty-one No. 1 albums listed on the Oricon charts. She is the only artist to have at least one number-one album every year on the Oricon charts for 18 c