FEATURING:
Kuni Mikami, piano
Lisle Atkinson, bass
Clifford Barbaro, drums
Born and raised in Japan, Kuni studied classical piano from ages 6 to 15. He came to New York in 1975 to pursue a jazz career. Kuni has performed in major New York jazz clubs (Sweet Basil, Village Gate, Blue Note, Hotel Kitano) and concert halls such as Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall.
In 1991, Kuni was invited to be the pianist in jazz legend Lionel Hamptonfs band. Since, then, he has traveled and played mainstream jazz all over the U.S. and Europe with this orchestra.@Kuni was Hampfs last pianist, and performed with the Hampton Orchestra until his passing in 2002. Also, Kuni has played with various other talented professionals - saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, vocalists Dakota Staton, Melba Joyce and Queen Esther Marrow. He was a pianist for Duke Ellington Orchestra in the f97 Europe Tour and the f98 Japan Tour. Playing with the Ellington orchestra at NYC, Birdland from 1998 till 2006.@Currently he is performing with the Cab Calloway Orchestra.
In 2003, Kuni and a mime performer, Ms. Haruka Moriyama created a joint project giMimenationh: piano and mime collaboration. They have toured in Philippines, Brunei, Austria, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Ecuador with the support from the Japan Foundation and Kawai Piano Co.. In 1996, he was invited by the Japanese Embassy in the Republic of South Africa to perform. In 2000, he was a featured artist for the Japan Day in Athens, Greece.
Kuni has written two jazz piano instructional books in Japanese: gJazz Piano New York Styleh Volume Tand Ufrom Zen-on Music Publication. Also his new essay gMy Life as a Jazz Pianist in NYh was published in 2009.
Blue Note
131 W. 3rd St
New York, NY 10012
212-475-8592
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