Emi Meyer
Emi Meyer | |
|---|---|
 Emi Meyer plays live in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo, June 2012. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | March 1987 (age 37) |
| Origin | Kyoto, Japan |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 2007-Present |
| Labels | Plankton |
| Website | www |
Emi Meyer (born March 1987) is a Japanese-born, American-raised Jazz pianist and singer-songwriter based in Seattle and Tokyo, active in both the Japanese and American markets.[1]
Background
Meyer was born in Kyoto, Japan, but grew up in Seattle, Washington. Her father is American while her mother is Japanese and a professor of Art History.[1] Meyer began learning classical piano at age six but expanded to Jazz. Meyer attended University Prep, a school in Seattle.
Meyer studied ethnomusicology and roots music in Los Angeles, including Indian ragas, African drumming and Japanese gagaku (classical court music). She wrote her thesis on the division in the modern Japanese music scene between hogaku (Japanese music) and yogaku (Western music).[1]
She first lived in Japan when she took a study-abroad program in the city of her birth, Kyoto.[1] In 2007 Meyer won the Seattle-Kobe Jazz Vocalist Competition, which kickstarted her career in Japan.[2]
Professional career
Meyer's 2007 self-produced debut album, Curious Creature reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Japan jazz chart after the single "Room Blue" was selected as the Single of the Week. She was already actively performing at events such as the Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival, the Sundance Film Festival and Kobe Jazz Festival.[3]
Living in Los Angeles, Emi has performed around Hollywood, including: The Hotel Café, The Tangier, and Room 5. In Seattle, she has performed at The Pink Door, Tula’s, and Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley, and in New York at the Rockwood Music Hall as well as the 92YTribeca with The Shanghai Restoration Project.
In 2009 Meyer performed as the opening act for Yael Naim's tour in Tokyo,[3] and also played at the Fuji Rock Festival.[1]
For her second album Passport, written entirely in Japanese, Meyer teamed up with Japanese rapper and producer Shingo Annen (better known by his stage name Shing02). The record has influences from Brazil, where overdubs were recorded, and incorporates bossa nova and reggae.[1]
In 2011 Meyer released her third album Suitcase of Stones, this time in English and described as a mix of "Jazz, blues and reggae-influenced original compositions" and produced by Grammy winning engineer S. Husky Höskulds (Norah Jones, Yael Naim).[4]
Meyer began her 2011 tour of Japan on May 21, as well as performing showcases at Tower Records stores nationwide. She embarked on the tour despite trepidation after fans sent her messages concerned that artists were staying away from Japan following the March 11th 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.[5]
In October 2011 Meyer performed two shows in Seattle, including at the Kizuna Benefit Concert to raise funds for victims of the Tōhoku earthquake via charity organisation Peace Winds America.
In April 2012 Meyer's all-English[6] EP "LOL" was released internationally,[7] including "On the Road," recorded for a Toyota Prius commercial.[8]
Discography
Studio albums
- Curious Creature (2007)
- Passport (2010)
- Suitcase of Stones (2011)
- LOL EP (2012)
- Galaxy's Skirt (2013)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Robert Michael Poole (2010-04-16). "Jazz singer Meyer raps up second album, 'Passport'". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ Emi Meyer Biography
- ^ a b Kevin McGue (2009-08-28). "The bicultural jazz singer explores her Japanese side". Metropolis (free magazine). Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ Alex Martin (2010-03-18). "Emi Meyer "Suitcase of Stones"". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
- ^ "Japanese-American Musician Emi Meyer's "Suitcase of Stones"". Public Radio International. 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
- ^ Philip Brasor (2012-04-19). "May 2012 albums". philipbrasor.com. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
- ^ Kanara (2012-04-28). "New Music: Emi Meyer's latest EP: "LOL"". Audrey magazine. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
- ^ "Passport: Emi Meyer Writes Tune for Toyota Prius Ad in Japan". Atunes.net. 2011-12-05. Retrieved 2012-05-28.