Chihiro Yamanaka on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory

Chihiro Yamanaka: Abyss

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abyss is a 2007 studio album from pianist Chihiro Yamanaka, recorded with bandmates Vicente Archer on bass and Kendrick Scott on drums. Like her previous albums, this is a jazz piano trio album featuring Yamanaka’s creative arrangements and impressive piano solos. With Archer and Scott as bandmates, the lineup on this album is a new one, as previous releases featured bassists Larry Grenadier and Robert Hurst, and drummers Jeff Ballard and Jeff “Tain” Watts, among others.

Chihiro Yamanaka: Lach Doch Mal

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Pianist Chihiro Yamanaka’s thrilling series of jazz albums continues with her fifth audio release Lach Doch Mal, released in 2006 on Verve with twelve tracks at just under an hour’s runtime. A special edition CD release also contains an extra DVD containing an extra version of one of the songs.

Like Yamanaka’s previous albums, Lach Doch Mal contains a mix of originals and covers rearranged in her creative style. Fans of her previous four albums know that her amazing piano improvisation and technique are a feature of her albums, and this release is no exception.

Chihiro Yamanaka: Outside by the Swing

Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Chihiro Yamanaka’s Outside By The Swing (2005) is her fourth piano trio album and continues her annual series of releases since bursting on the scene with her 2001 debut Living Without Friday. While previous releases were on the Osaka boutique jazz label Atelier Sawano, this release marks her first in a long run with Verve Records.

The album contains a baker’s dozen of fun jazz tracks, some quite short but mostly in the four-to-six minute range, plenty enough to showcase Yamanaka’s piano filled with percussive fire and melodic creativity.

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio: Madrigal

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

On her third album Madrigal, jazz pianist Chihiro Yamanaka continues on her upward arc, working her magic on jazz standards and originals with a top-notch trio.

With momentum built from her debut Living Without Friday (2001) and When October Goes (2002), on Madrigal (2004), the pianist impresses with new arrangements, tight playing, and flashy piano solos. Recorded in studio with a great live sound, Yamanaka is backed by quality rhythm section mates bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard (stalwart members of Brad Mehldau’s trio), and drummer Rodney Green on three tracks.

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio: When October Goes

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Chihiro Yamanaka’s second release When October Goes was released in 2002, a natural followup to her impressive debut Living Without Friday released the prior year. This second album features the pianist playing with new recording members Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums, members of the Brad Mehldau Trio who would continue to record and tour to great acclaim like Yamanaka herself.

The ten tracks on When October Goes include three original songs, with the balance of the music being jazz standards and rearranged songs.

Chihiro Yamanaka Trio: Living Without Friday

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz pianist Chihiro Yamanaka’s debut album Living Without Friday turns 20 years old today! Released modestly on October 5, 2001, this album kicked off an impressive run of releases, setting the stage with memorable originals and reinvented standards while introducing new listeners to her amazing technique and creativity.

Popular and in-demand on albums and live events, Yamanaka is based in New York and is a well-known representative for jazz piano from modern-day Japanese musicians. The ultra-proficient and prolific musician has been releasing new albums every year, impressively spanning a multidecade recording career with no signs of slowing down. Living Without Friday caught early attention and hinted at the potential to be unveiled through her many subsequent albums and her penchant for creative arrangements that suit her modern bop and swing jazz style.