Wednesday, June 24, 2020
5:30pm–6:30pm
A virtual fireside chat with flautist Mayu Saeki
Followed by a live performance featuring songs from her new album, "HOPE"
In this conversation, we will learn about Mayu's musical journey through the years, a journey from Tokyo to New York and from classical to jazz. We will gain a glimpse of music through the eyes of a musician and learn what it takes to release an album, what inspires an album, and how to begin a musical journey of your own.
From Mayu Saeki: “It was a pivotal moment to record my own album, and I’m very happy that I was able to deliver before my tenth year anniversary in New York. This album is a reflection of my life, filled with passion and curiosity, love of music, and hope which I will never let go of. Music has been with me since I was little. It has always been honest and keeps giving me hope for a better day. I wish that this HOPE, the feeling I have, will reach your heart and I sincerely hope that your day is better tomorrow. I would like to dedicate this album to the memory of my father, Kazuo, and my mentor, Chico Hamilton, who left me invaluable experiences and precious memories.”
Mayu Saeki is a Japanese-born flutist, composer, bandleader, educator, Trevor James Flutes artist, Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records artist, and global citizen. With nearly a decade of her musical career in New York City, Mayu Saeki, Elizabeth University of Music alumni with Master of Music degree, still keeps transforming herself with no limit. Her versatile and yet passionate playstyle is deeply rooted in her early childhood classical training and jazz mentorship. She isn't a stranger to jazz clubs like Jazz At the Kitano and Jazz Gallery, but also is welcomed in hardcore rock venues like Brooklyn Bowl and Rockwood Music Hall to captivate a wide range of audiences.
When she relocated to New York from Tokyo in 2009, an opportunity knocked her door to become a part of Chico Hamilton’s band, Euphoria. She recorded several albums with this group, including “Revelation,” “Euphoric” and “The Inquiring Mind” which featured her composition “HOPE.” In addition, Mayu began actively performing with her own trio, with Aaron Goldberg on piano and Joe Sanders on bass (later Matt Penman on bass). Post-Euphoria era, her “sideman” career continues to grow with an all-female Irish music group, Four Celtic Voices, touring from 2015-2017. She also collaborated with many respected artists in the jazz world including Latin Grammy award-winning artist Arturo O’Farrill and Jazz Grammy award-winning saxophonist Mark Gross. She was a substitute flautist for the Off Broadway show "Fiddler On The Roof in Yiddish” at Stage 42 (NYC) in 2018 and 2019. Her anticipated debut album "HOPE" was released from Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records on March 16, 2018. Her album release toured successfully nationwide and Downbeat Magazine recognized Mayu as one of the rising stars in jazz flute.
As an educator, Mayu teaches over 25 students (piano, flute, music method) in her own music studio in NYC. Previously, she has taught summer band camp at Arizona State University and was a guest clinician at Texas A and M University.
Free registration. A link for the event will be sent to all who register.
Event photo by: Jean Carlo Emer on Unsplash