Born and raised in Japan, Miki lived in Kyoto until the age of 10, moving to Kobe for the next eight years. There is where Miki found her interest in jazz.
"I joined a brass band in school that plays jazz big band sometimes. I went to college in a little rural city called Okayama and I started playing locally there. There were hardly any professional musicians but my major was science. My parents don't play any instruments, so I would say I am a late starter.”
Miki decided to apply for college in the United States.
"I graduated from Queens College with a Master’s in Jazz Performance. I didn’t think I could make a living as a musician until I graduated. I am in awe that I still live here, doing what I love the most."
"I didn't move to Tokyo (which most Japanese musicians would do to make a career) because I just never liked the city. I had a chance to visit New York in 2011 alone during my summer break while I was in graduate school (in science) in Okayama. I picked New York because I had heard that it is the place to hear jazz. I didn't know much about it then honestly (laughing).”
“I haven't played too much abroad, but I have done a leader tour in Japan and that was so much fun. I only played with local amateur musicians growing up, so going back to Japan as a professional pianist with my trio was special. I hope to get to travel to play more in the future."
Like many musicians, the pandemic caused many problems for live music. Miki decided to start her own "Live from our Dining room series/Miki's Mood"
"The series started with the name ‘Live From Our Dining Room’ first in February 2021. We were streaming with just two iPhones, just to play music and share the moment with the audience. I also decided to pick a different guest musician and composer every week so I have gotten to play with many different musicians and to learn many songs. It used to be with just a bass player to play in a trio (my husband Jimmy Macbride @jimmy.macbride plays drums) to minimize the risk of getting Covid, but I have had many horn players and singers as well.”
“Something that I want to mention is that I have decided to compensate the guest musician (and the videographer later on) no matter how much of a donation I get. I respect their time, and as a professional musician myself, I couldn't ask my peers to work for me for free. I have lost some money in the beginning, but I am truly thankful that KEYED UP! started helping us out."
"I haven't missed a week since I started, and this allowed me to reconnect with the musicians I admire. I am grateful to have continued the series, which now is called "Miki's Mood." Things are getting canceled again lately but I have no plans on stopping the series."
"People got tired of screens since we had to do everything with live streaming and Zoom, but I am still glad that I started my streaming series, which allowed me to reach more audiences than before. I also learned a lot about recording, taking a video, streaming and social media. I had never thought of doing all by myself. This pandemic forced us to be more creative. There has been a lot of learning, but we are still here, making music. Unfortunately, I don't see the pandemic being over so soon. We can keep being more creative, trying to play music for people as much as possible in a safe way. Hopefully we will get the life of traveling back eventually, but until then, and even then on, I will keep reaching more people with streaming, recording at home, as I learned during this pandemic"
Who is Miki listening to?
"I have been checking out Stanley Cowell, Andrew Hill and Chick Corea"
What are Miki's thoughts on KEYED UP!
"I've had gigs that KEYED UP! supported before. I knew they support the New York based musicians, and I truly admire their enormous help for us.”
Musicians create their own gigs, KEYED UP! pushes us to bring more music to the people. It is so beautiful! KEYED UP!’s support allowed me to pay the cats and not break my bank, and I can keep playing music with them. I cannot thank you all enough for your support. Arts always need support more than anything - I appreciate all the help for us to be able to keep doing what we love to do!"
You can hear Miki's Mood every Wednesday at 5pm
Check out Miki's instagram page @mikimikiyummy for weekly yt/fb links
Photo credit - Rudy Royston