Live Jazz: Miki Yamanaka & Steve Nelson

The second show of the fall series, scheduled for October 26, will be a dynamic duo featuring pianist, Miki Yamanaka, and vibraphonist Steve Nelson.

Miki Yamanaka is a New York-based pianist from Kobe, Japan. She moved to New York City in 2012 and has studied piano with Jason Lindner, Jeb Patton, and Fred Hersch, and organ with Sam Yahel and Larry Goldings. In 2015, she was one of three pianists selected to participate in “Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead,” an intensive composition residency at the Kennedy Center. She recently earned her Master of Music degree from Queens College, receiving the Sir Roland Hanna Award. She has been known as one of the busiest pianists in her generation.

Steve Nelson is an outstanding vibraphonist and composer was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a resident of the New York area, he has performed and recorded with many great musicians including Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Mulgrew Miller, David Fathead Newman, Johnny Griffin and Jackie McLean. He has appeared at concerts and festivals worldwide and has made three recordings as the leader of his own group. His recordings as a leader include Live At Acireale (Red Records), Full Nelson (Sunnyside) and Communications (Criss Cross). Recordings with others include Mulgrew Miller, David “Fathead” Newman, Kenny Barron, Jackie McLean and Johnny Griffin.