YUKO YOKOI
Yuko is a warm and sensitive jazz and Brazilian music singer based in London. She has launched her acclaimed debut album, Verde in Jan '18 and completed the successful tour in Brazil, Japan and the UK. On Verde, she expresses her absolute love of both Brazilian and contemporary jazz music with a full of improvisation and musical shades of light and colour in a minimalistic style.
She has also performed at some of the most renowned jazz clubs including the Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, 606 Club, The Vortex, The Spice of Life Soho and The Pheasantry. Alongside the performance, she also has extensive experience in teaching singing privately and at schools as well as conducting her own jazz choir.
She has graduated with a Jazz Masters at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance receiving the TCM Trust and Archers Scholarships. She also runs regular jazz singing workshops both in Japan and in the UK.
AWARDS / PERFORMANCES:
She is the joint winner of the 6th Angela Carrington Award, held at the Vortex Jazz Club, London, which judges included the acclaimed jazz singer Ian Shaw.
Dec 2012 completed a tour in Japan with gigs predominantly in Tokyo and Nagoya with accomplished musicians such as saxophonist, Shunosuke Ishihara and guitarist, Ohmichi Yuda.
Her many other performances include The Spice Of Life Soho, The Pheasantry, St Martin-In-The Fields, Cafe in The Crypt, Richmix, Oliver's Jazz bar and The Gallery Cafe. Also, she has sung with a couple of jazz big band/orchestra’s, such as the South London Jazz Orchestra and with acclaimed musicians including Duncan Eagles, Matt Robinson, Eriko Ishihara, Barry Green, Rick Simpson, Alan Weekes, Dave Colton and Ben Hazleton.
Organises and hosts annual charity concerts JAZZ+JAPAN for Non profitable organisation Momo Kaki Orphans Fund to support Japanese orphans from Tohoku Earthquale March 2011.
Finalist at the Jazz Vocal Queen Contest 2008 in Kobe, Japan.
Feb 2010, worked with pianist Mark Ball on score of Contemporary Dance Piece "What Happens Between Us" performed at the Place Theatre, Euston, London and subsequently toured with Edge Dance Company. Also involved in Research and Development for Advanced Dance Studies Project with Spanish Choreographer Jorges Cressis for performances in early March 2013.
EDUCATION :
She has graduated with a Masters in Jazz Studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance ( receiving the TCM Trust and Archers Scholarships), where she studied with world class educators and performers such as Simon Purcell, Brigitte Beraha, Nia Lynn, Julian Seigel and Martin Speake. Previously, she completed a four year part-time jazz course at the City Lit College, Holborn, London and privately she was coached by the BBC Jazz Award winning singer, Anita Wardell for a number of years. Participation in various workshops with Sheila Jordan, Laura Zakian, Anton Browne, Renato D'Aiello and Louise Gibbs have also informed her jazz development.
横井祐子
２４年前に渡英し、ロンドンを拠点に音楽活動を行っているジャズ／ブラジル音楽歌手。２０１８年１月に全曲ロンドンにて収録のデビューアルバム「Verde（ヴェールジ）」をリリース。老舗ジャズクラブ６０６ Clubにてアルバム発売記念ライブを満席御礼にて行い、その後ブラジル、日本、ＵＫでのグローバルツアーを成功に収める。また、現地小学校での音楽教育にも携わる他、ジャズクワイヤー（合唱団）やヴォーカルレッスンの運営、日本でのジャズヴォーカルや英語発音強化ワークショップも行う。
英国のトリニティー･ラーバン･コンセルヴァトワール(Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance)にてジャズ科修士号を取得。同音楽大学よりTCM Trust 奨学金およびArchers Scholarsの授与により学費一部免除。以前には、BBCジャズアウォード受賞者、アニータ ウォーデルに師事し、スキャットにつき学ぶ。
ジャズシンガーのコンペティション、第６回アンジェラ･キャリントン･アウォードにて優勝。
ロンドンでの演奏経験は、老舗Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho、Vortex Jazz Club や The Spice of Life Sohoから、The Pheasantry、Oliver's Jazz Bar、St Martin-In-The Fields、RichMix まで様々。サウスロンドン･ジャズオーケストラや、キンググルービー･ビッグバンドなどとも歌う。その他、国内外で活躍する様々なミュージシャン、石原絵里子、国島妙子、アラン･ウィークス、レナート･ダイエロ、ボブ･スタッキー、リック･シンプソン、デイブ･コルトン、コリン･クローリー、ジェローム･デイビス、ベン･ヘイゼルトンらと共演。
定期的にチャリティーコンサートの企画運営を行い、慈善団体あしなが育英会レインボーハウスやももかき育英会を通して東北大震災による孤児支援活動に力を入れている。
また、ロンドンのエッジダンスカンパニーによるコンテンポラリーダンスの音楽を、ピアニスト／作曲家、マーク･ボールのプロジェクト"What Happens Between Us"に参加し歌を担当。２０１３年３月に予定の振付師ホルヘ･クレシス率いる、上級ダンス研究開発のプロジェクトの講演会でも歌を担当する。
日本では、東京や名古屋のジャズクラブ、楽屋（らくや）、赤坂ケイ、スウィング、ドキシーなどに出演。日本での共演者は、石川周之介、林祐市、大村守弘、湯田大道、北川弘幸、イシイタカユキ、寺尾陽介、加治雄太、水野善郎、合田裕則、新こうじ等。
また、サンバスクールでのパーカッションの演奏も行っている。