A native of Tokyo, Japan, Yuko Ito has been performing publicly in wide range of styles: pop, rock, R&B, jazz funk, gospel, free jazz and various forms of Brazilian music since high school. Her early musical career began when she founded the girl’s rock band Sissy Boy, which produced two CDs: Marcy’s Factory, with Vaan Media, and Kick Off Boy’s, with Crown Records Japan.

Even with her early success in Japan, Yuko’s musical vision was broad and she chose to move to New York in 1994. A vocal coach soon encouraged her to explore jazz and eventually this led to her receiving B.F.A degree from City College of New York in music (Jazz Vocal Performance, she studied from Sheila Jordan).

After a jam session Yuko attended while still in school, she was invited by jazz artist Sabir Mateen to perform with him. This encouraged her to continue to draw deeply from the jazz tradition in her work. She has performed with the Harlem Gospel Choir and appeared at Blue Note (New York), she has also performed with the Harlem Gospel Choir in Times Square on Good Morning America (ABC) and New Yorker (NHK BS1).

Based in New York, She has performed at many of city’s top venue: Blue Note New York, Russian Samovar Lenox Lounge, Jazz at Kitano The Better End, Tomi Jazz, Lanza’s Antique Garage Soho and TriBeCa, Nomad restaurant, Cafe Luce and tours in Japan.

Indeed, the culmination of her experiences in multiple genres is what gives Ito her rebellious verve, along with jazz phrasing.

Her brand new fourth album, entitled Seduzir is out now and continues to highlight a melodic structural form of style that is uniquely hers. For she is truly a mature songstress of the highest order.

1. Caxangá
2. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
3. Ooh Child
4. Besame Mucho
5. Seduzir
6. O Roncou da Cuica
7. O Bêbado e a Equilibrista
8. Waltz for Debby
9. Você e Eu
10. You and the Night and the Music

The album opens on the opulent Caxangá and the delicate gossamer of Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar and they are followed by the smoothly grooved Ooh Child, the gently vibrant Besame Mucho and the sheer elegance of Seduzir.

Along next is the quietly frenetic O Roncou da Cuica and the magnificently structured, veritably flirtatious O Bêbado e a Equilibrista, and they are in turn backed by the more controlled balladry within Waltz for Debby, the set rounding out on the playful Você e Eu, closing on the uprigght bass-led You and the Night and the Music.

www.yukosing.com