Album Notes

Growing up in a music-loving family, Midori began piano at age five and loved to listen to jazz, her father's favorite music. At age 22 she began to sing in this art form herself.
In 1988, she took the gold prize in The Asakusa Jazz Contest, a recognized major contest in Japan for this genre.
It was a turning point in her career as a professional jazz singer.

　To further perfect her singing, she decided to further study English at Loyola Intensive English Program in New Orleans in 1990.
During her stay, she encountered world-famous trumpet player Jamil Sharif and joined his band at Maison Bourbon, a jazz club located in the heart of the French Quarter.

　Returning to Japan the following year, she concentrated on live performances. In 1999, she was invited to appear at the “Jazz Vocal Jamboree,”a summit event that is open only to highly recognized vocalists in Japan.

　She recorded her first album ‘Shine’ in New Orleans in 2001, produced by Jamil Sharif and released by Umdah Music in the United States.

In 2006 Midori released her lateset album, "Mona Lisa" featuring five romantic vocal ballads and an original instrumental by pianist /arranger ,Johnny Todd.

Just visit www.midoritakamura.com and watch her video clips."Someone To Watch Over Me","Never Let Me Go","One Note Samba", "Makin' Whoopee" etc.......