Chieko Yano
Blue Sonata
© 2007 Chieko Yano (837101354516)
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Album By jazz vocalist/pianist/composer, Chieko Yano. The arrangements smoothly combines jazz with the elements of classical, pop, and asian sound.
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Chieko Yano is an intriguing and talented musician who is making a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Born in Yokohama, Japan, Yano began playing classical piano at the age of three. She developed her own musical vocabulary through the experience of various other instruments, including saxophone, voice, guitar, and bass. She received formal training from jazz pianist, Frank Caruso, and concert pianist, Michael Yanovitsky. After working for several years as a vocalist, pianist, and arranger in Tokyo, Yano moved to Chicago in 1998.
She soon appeared on the famed Chicago jazz scene as a pianist. She performed at such reputable venues as Pops for Champagne, Isaac Hayes Center, Hot House, Fitzgerald's, Smoke Daddy, Velvet Lounge, and M Lounge. She also began a long-running residency at Cafe Shino's Piano Bar .
Yano's experience at these venues gave her the opportunity to perform with a number of respected musicians. She shared the stage with Winton Marsalis, Harold Jones, and Carl Allen. She also performed with Tom Garling, a trombone player whom she would eventually marry.
Following her marriage to Garling, Yano settled in the United States. She started to reconsider her roots and origins. This led to a desire to incorporate Asian-influenced sounds into her brand of jazz. It was also at this time that Yano began focusing on her singing and vocal compositions.
Yano's first album, Blue Sonata, includes jazz standards, originals, and Japanese folk songs. She is fortunate to have some of the best musicians in Chicago featured on the album. Some of these include Garling, sax player Goef Bradfield, bassist Patt Willians, bassist Matt Young and drummer Noritaka Tanaka.
The self-produced CD has different approaches to the genre of jazz: it combines a taste of Asian flavor with vocal overdubbing. It also features classical sonata forms, classical impressionism harmony, odd meter changes, and interesting key changes. It is both Yano's wide vocal range and strong musical background which allow these different elements to blend so well. As further proof of her musical talents, Yano also plays the classical guitar on her new CD.
Currently, Yano is performing in Chicago and the surrounding region. She sings in both Japanese and English. This flexibility is now an essential element to her sound. Live, Yano emphasizes improvisation and her piano playing. She considers herself a pianist who happens to sing, rather than a vocalist who plays the piano. Her performance has been known to sway from sensitive and evocative one minute, to feisty, playful, and ferocious the next.
Yano's performances can be regulary seen at Cafe Shino (211 E. Ontario, Chicago 312-226-2280), Cafe la Cave Steak House (Des Plaines, IL), the Dragonfly Mandarin Restaurant (832 W. Randolph St., Chicago 312-787-7600), and M Lounge (1520 S. Wabash).
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Congratulations on GrIndie Award
author: RadioIndy.comRadioIndy is proud to present Chieko Yano a GrIndie Award for their CD "Blue Sonata." A GrIndie Award is RadioIndy's stamp of approval that this CD is an excellent quality CD. Please join us in congratulating this artist on this accomplishment.
If you Enjoy Norah Jones, check out Chieko's CD
author: Xavier and the RadioIndy Team“Blue Sonata” by Chieko Yano is a compelling transcendental collection of vocal-driven jazz tunes. Passion and fervor are the two most attractive elements of this CD. Chieko’s breezy and graceful vocal tone adds to the sincere and inviting feel of these tunes. “Foie Gras at the Motel 6” demonstrates just this, while introducing a pleasantly long-winded saxophone solo. Beautiful musicianship is yet another asset of “Blue Sonata,” as flaunted through the thrilling piano intro of “Someday My Prince Will Come.” From start to end, this CD is filled with creative instrumental surprises and solid vocal performances.
- author: S. Monroe
Miss, your voice is absolutely enchanting!! I think you’re an amazing talent and wish you the best.
- author: J
Great CD! you have wonderful alto range.