Yuko Kishi, a sensational jazz vocalist from Tokyo, Japan, is known for her emotive, sincere, and energetic voice. With a vocal range that spans three octaves, she possesses a rich and powerful voice that allows her to navigate various music genres with ease. Yuko began her singing journey at the age of 13, initially studying Italian opera and classical vocal styles. Her interest later shifted to contemporary American R&B and American Urban Soul music, drawing inspiration from great singers like Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, and Dianne Reeves.
During her high school years, Yuko was part of the school choir, where she honed her classical vocal techniques. This foundation led her to develop an interest in jazz music, seeking a style that emphasized equal interaction among musicians and strong improvisation. In 2005, Yuko started performing in jazz bars and restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama, earning numerous accolades for her performances. In 2009, she relocated to Shanghai, quickly becoming a signed singer for jazz bars and upscale hotels.
Yuko has performed at prestigious jazz venues such as BlueNote Shanghai/Beijing, House of Blues and Jazz, Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai, and ARK Live House. Her performances have been a part of significant events like the Shanghai World Expo (Japanese Industry Pavilion), the East Sea Music Festival, and the Japanese Film Week. In addition to her performances, Yuko actively engages in various stages and has launched her own music coaching classes, focusing on vocal exercises and singing techniques, contributing to the development of music enthusiasts.
Yuko’s artistic style is rooted in jazz standards, but she also enjoys singing pop songs, show tunes, and Japanese traditional folk songs. As a scat singer, she is an outstanding performer with extensive experience both as a soloist and in vocal ensembles. Her performances are characterized by her passion, vibrancy, and versatility.
Joining Yuko is Ye Ye, a collaborating musician with Roland China, and an official reviewer for the Keyboard World Synthesizer Public Account and Midi Fan Synthesizer section. Ye Ye has also collaborated with Eventide effects processors. In 2023, Ye Ye was the music director of the You Lan special session of Shanghai Fashion Week and demonstrated new synthesizers at the Music Lab exhibition hall of the Shanghai Musical Instrument Exhibition. In 2022, Ye Ye served as the music director for the graduation play ‘Yunxiang’ at Shanghai Theatre Academy. In 2021, Ye Ye was the arranger and pianist for Liang Bin’s concert with the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble and directed the electric band, playing piano and synthesizer at the Jaguar 007 special performance of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
Completing the group is Fei Jia, a master of jazz guitar from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Fei Jia composed the guitar piece for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games and has won several awards, including the ‘Best Original Music Award’ in the first ‘Guitar China’ competition and the ‘Best Jazz Guitar Performance Award’ from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. His album ‘Jazz Listening Hall – Spain’ was released in 2010 by Guangzhou Fengxing Record Company. Fei Jia has extensive experience in star concerts, TV variety shows, large-scale live performances, and commercial music production. In 2016, he returned to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music to continue his studies in jazz guitar, earning a master’s degree with excellent results. He founded the ‘Fei Jia Jazz Quartet’ and the gypsy jazz ‘Shanghai Heat Club Band’ and has participated in large-scale music festivals such as Jazz Shanghai multiple times. As a music producer, Fei Jia has signed with Rock Records and teaches at schools like JZ School. His music is rich and colorful, yet maintains a pursuit of natural simplicity and profundity.Drums: Sun Bin. Professional drummer Sun Bin graduated from the Percussion Department of Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 2002, he won the runner-up of the Unified Iced Tea Original Music Competition. In the same year, he performed on the same stage with teacher Qi Qin. Later, he joined the light music troupe to participate in the global Teresa Teng tour concert. In 2005, he participated in the recording of the program ‘East Meets West’ of Shanghai Foreign Language Channel and served as the on-site sound effect director. In 2008, he was invited to participate in the national Pepsi Cola band tour. In 2012, he participated in the recording of the Channel V concert and performed on the same stage with many star accompaniment bands. Later, he joined the live accompaniment band of The Voice of China and Good Songs until now. In 2016, he was invited to participate in the Midem Music Festival in Cannes, France; Shanghai International Jazz Festival. In 2017, he participated in the national style celebration at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing (nearly 100,000 people). He was appointed as the director of the IPEA International Percussion Association and the spokesperson of Swedish drumsticks Wincent. In 2018, he was appointed as a judge and personal demonstrator for the first Hunan Province Jazz Drum and Band Competition. From 2019 to 2020, he has been actively performing on various stages and giving lectures in different regions, greatly loved by children. From 2020 to 2021, he formed and led the band for Liu Lingfei’s concerts, touring major city theaters and performing as the headline act at the China Musical Awards. In the same year, he was invited to give a master class by the Luzhou City Musicians Association in Sichuan Province. He also represented the Hefei Wanda Red Devils Electronic Drums as a master class lecturer, and served as a judge for the DW 5th China Drum Competition in 2021. He was invited by the CODA Art Center to co-lecture with outstanding musicians from home and abroad, including An Dong, Jay Chou’s producer Huang Yuxun, and Ah Qin from the F.I.R band. In 2021, he participated in the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra’s 007-themed concert conducted by Yu Long. Collaborated artists include Ping An, Wu Mochou, Zhang Lei, Dai Quan, Er Ke, Ning Huanyu, Alin, Wang Zhengliang, Yu Kewei, Deng Jianchao, DJ Mosion, Zhou Shen, Deng Jianchao, Liu Lingfei, Zheng Yunlong, and more. The event is open from October 5th to October 27th, subject to the actual performance schedule. The guitar roams in the ocean of notes in his hands, creating elegant and expressive melodies.
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