Artist Profile
Yukiko Mayra Miyazaki
Mayra was introduced to music through classical piano when she was eight years old. Her first visit to a live jazz club at age 20 sealed her fate, because it was then and there that she decided to become a jazz singer. She studied at the reputable Berklee College of Music (Professional Music major), and after graduating in 2009, her music career blossomed as she went on to win numerous awards including the grand prize at the Saitama Shintoshin Jazz Vocal Contest (2009) and the grand prize at the Okazaki Jazz Vocal Contest (2010). In 2011 she met Robson Amaral, one of the pillars of the Brazilian music scene in Japan. With him, Mayra began to seriously explore bossa nova, and their duo album CRYSTAL BOSSA TOKYO released in 2016 impressively ranked number one on the bossa nova chart of Amazon Japan. The name Mayra means "star of the sea." She is well known for her sweet voice and great musicianship, with a wide-ranging repertoire and heartfelt interpretations. Her concerts are packed with fans that love her music as well as her charming personality that comes alive on stage, putting a smile on everyone's face. She is also among the favorites for recording projects and event performances. Her latest project is her new album MAYRA. It is a sea-themed collection of six songs, some Brazilian standards and some originals, with Yuichiro Hiraoka at the helm as the sound producer. There is no shortage of talents in the supporting musician lineup; Hiraoka is one of the best guitarists in Japan, and he is joined by Yoshihiro Harada on steel pan, Matsumonica on harmonica, and Francis Silva on percussion. The album will be officially released in June 2021.