Beyond the Keys with Miki Yamanaka
October 22, 2025
Performing December 6 | 5 & 8 PM | Bell’s Eccentric Café
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The Gilmore’s 2025 Rising Stars season will conclude with Japanese-born pianist Miki Yamanaka. Since moving to New York in 2012, Yamanaka has become a vibrant force in the city’s jazz scene—holding residencies at iconic clubs like Smalls and Mezzrow, performing alongside artists such as saxophonist Antonio Hart, the Mingus Big Band, and the Harish Raghavan Quintet, and leading her own dynamic projects. Her light, expressive playing is matched by an equally bright personality. In our Q&A below, Miki reflects on the moments that shape her both in performance and in life.
Which artists are you listening to right now?
Toninho Horta’s “Once I Loved” & McCoy Tyner’s “4×4”. I just got to see Toninho play live in NYC and that was one of the best musical experiences I have ever had. A dear friend and colleague of mine, Jamile, was singing with him and that warmed my heart. She is an incredible vocalist from Brazil and always pushes me with challenging music by many artists that I didn’t know before. Toninho was one of the artists that Jamile hipped me to!
McCoy’s record was introduced by a radio show for Al Foster’s passing. The program featured his vast career, and this was one of the records they played on the radio. Al Foster is one of my favorite drummers—I got to sit in one time to get to play with him. RIP Al Foster, such a beautiful force of drums and music! His playing on this record is as good as all the records I love of him. I personally haven’t checked out much of McCoy, that I feel guilty about. This record hit me, and when I find a record I like, I stick with it. I have probably listened to it more than 50 times already lol.
What are you working on musically?
I love learning tunes so I learned “Ooh What You Do To Me” by Al Foster & Bobby Hutcherson’s “I Wanna Stand Over There” (This is on McCoy’s record I mentioned earlier). I’ve also been transcribing McCoy’s solo on that and revisiting Ravel. I am not technically gifted, so working on classical pieces helps me get better physically. I also love to go see a live show. As a musician, we do so many shows, and sometimes we get too busy and don’t even have time to check anybody else out. But I personally think it is important to go see a show. We can check out not only other musicians’ music but their stage presences as well, which can inspire us a lot.
Do you have a pre-performance routine?
Not really, but I have a pre-performance ‘not to do’, which is to not drink coffee. Lol! But I love the taste of the coffee, so sometimes I allow myself to have a decaf cortado. 🙂
What’s the last memorable performance you attended by another musician?
I just got to see Toninho Horta’s performance SUPER CLOSE. That was a life changing experience. I danced my behind off! As a performer, I did a Japanese tour with my trio that I will bring to The Gilmore, with a featured guest, Mark Turner. (Sorry Mark is not coming to Kalamazoo!) But we sound as good as ever after playing 2 weeks together. It is a luxury to be able to go on the road with the same band—I am grateful for the opportunity. Being able to create a band sound with Tyrone and Jimmy has been the greatest moment of my musical journey!
Is there something you enjoy when you are not practicing, playing, or traveling?
I love cooking, driving, and knitting. I also love playing video games!
What are you looking forward to in the next six months?
I am excited to practice again, so I will be doing that a lot. I started practicing Marimba as well and I would like to continue. Also, I will hopefully write more new music, and I get to present at The Gilmore Rising Stars series too!
Is there a highlight of your year so far, either professional or personal?
It is not an event or anything, but my sister and I weren’t so close over the years, but since she went home and started taking care of my parents, I am just so grateful for her and we actually became closer. I am very thankful for her, so that is the highlight? Without her, I cannot do what I love to do. My dad is suffering from an illness right now, and I am going to go back to Japan as many times as possible—but nothing lasts forever. It is teaching me that I would like to cherish every moment of my life, including my visit to Kalamazoo. 🙂
The Miki Yamanaka Trio performs Saturday, December 6 at Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo.