Home » Jazz Musicians » Migiwa Miyajima

Migiwa Miyajima

Hailing from Japan, composer, producer, pianist, and bandleader of the 17-piece Miggy Augmented Orchestra, Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima creates large-scale works manifesting her distinct life experiences. Birdland Jazz Club says, “Miyajima’s music reflects her journey as a musician and humanitarian.” Formerly editor-in-chief of a magazine in Japan, Miyajima trusted the power of music and became a full-time musician at the age of 30. In four years, the Grammy-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra found her and brought her two Grammy nominations as its associate producer for “Forever Lasting- Live in Tokyo” and “Over Time: Music of Bob Brookmeyer.”

After surviving the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Miyajima received a Japanese government grant and a Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Fellowship, and relocated to the US. Miggy Augmented Orchestra released its ArtistShare debut album “Colorful” in 2018. In March 2021, Miyajima released a book with accompanied music entitled “Your Future Story” as a first product of her year-long “Unbreakable Hope and Resilience” project, based on the real stories of survivors and volunteers of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. She has also served as associate producer and conductor of NEA jazz master Slide Hampton’s big band. She is the recipient of grants and awards including the 2019 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, 2020 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, and 2021 Creative Engagement program of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

Integrating musical elements from Japan with the harmonies and rhythms of modern jazz, Miyajima creates original compositions that evoke natural beauty and convey a deep appreciation of our shared humanity. She is experienced in large jazz ensembles and skilled at combining numerous sounds and creates striking and sophisticated effects. Showcasing the boundless gifts of her featured musicians by her signature "ensemble music," she seeks to highlight the unique “colors” that all human beings contribute to society.

Awards

2021 Recipient, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), Creative Engagement grant 2021 Finalist, John Lennon Song Writing Contest - Jazz category 2020 Recipient, New York City’s NYC Women’s Fund For Media, Music, and Theatre grant 2019 Awardee, Jerome Foundation’s Jerome Hill Artist 2019 Three performances of Migiwa’s have been selected for The Japan Foundation’s Japan 2019 program 2018 Winner, The International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) 2018 Search for New Music Competition PDX Prize 2018 Finalist, International Song Writing Contest 2016 Awardee, Brooklyn Arts Council (as co-founder, producer and composer, NY Japanese Women Jazz Composers) 2015 Finalist, BMI’s Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize 2014 Grammy Nomination, 57th Grammy Award as associate producer of Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s “OverTime—Music of Bob Brookmeyer” 2012–2013 Awardee US-Japan Creative Artists Program“Japan-US Friendship Commission” 2012-2013 National Scholarship, Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists, Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs“Japanese Government Overseas Program for Artists” 2011 Grammy nomination as associate producer of Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s “Forever Lasting - Live in Tokyo”


Tags

39
Interview

Migiwa Miyajima: The Colorful Journey Into Jazz

Read "Migiwa Miyajima: The Colorful Journey Into Jazz" reviewed by Jane Kozhevnikova


Migiwa “Miggy" Miyajima is a Japanese, New York-based composer, producer, and pianist. As a producer, she has received multiple Grammy nominations. Her list of awards includes the 2021 Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) Creative Engagement grant and Restart NY grant, 2020 New York City's NYC Women's Fund For Media, Music, and Theatre grant, 2020-2021 Asian American Arts Alliance's Artist In Residence, 2019 Jerome Foundation's Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, 2012-2013 Japan-US Friendship Commission, and Japanese Government Overseas Program for Artists. All ...

1
Album Review

Migiwa Miyajima: Colorful

Read "Colorful" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Un nuovo debutto si aggiunge al ricco movimento di rinascita orchestrale cresciuto negli Stati Uniti nell'ultimo decennio. Che la bandleader sia donna e giapponese non è una novità (la via è stata aperta da Toshiko Akiyoshi oltre 60 anni fa ed oggi è tracciata originalmente da Miho Hazama) ma va segnalata la singolarità del suo percorso professionale. Migiwa “Miggy" Miyajima aveva 45 anni al momento di quest'incisione (effettuata nel 2018) e in Giappone lavorava come caporedattore in una ...

Read more articles
5

Event

Miggy Augmented Orchestra U.S. Debut Of "Colorful" This Sunday At Birdland On September 30th - Reserve Now!

Miggy Augmented Orchestra U.S. Debut Of "Colorful" This Sunday At Birdland On September 30th - Reserve Now!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

U.S. Debut for Colorful This Sunday at Birdland September 30th Reserve Now! 17-Piece Orchestra Miggy Augmented Orchestra Sunday, September 30th Birdland 315 W. 44th St. New York, NY 11036 6:00pm. $30 Miggy Augmented Orchestra New Release Colorful on artistshare! “A hidden treasure of New York." —Slide Hampton A story of inspiration. Fearless pursuit of passion. The key to living a rich and ...

136

Recording

Miggy Augmented Orchestra Entitled Colorful And Performing At Birdland On September 30!

Miggy Augmented Orchestra Entitled Colorful And Performing At Birdland On September 30!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

"A hidden treasure of New York." —Slide Hampton THE NEW TOSHIKO! Miggy Augmented Orchestra Colorful on artistShare! Migiwa “Miggy" Miyajima: Composer, Pianist, Producer Release Date: September 6, 2018 CD Release Performance: September 30th at Birdland! A story of inspiration. Fearless pursuit of passion. Watch the Video The key to living a rich and meaningful life is continuous learning and fearless and pursuit of one's passion. Migiwa “Miggy" Miyajima stepped down as editor in chief of a ...

Primary Instrument

Composer / conductor

Location

New York City

Clinic/Workshop Information

Jury: 2021 SCI Big Band Jazz Composition Contest (USA) Jury: 2020 The Australian National Jazz Orchestra Youth Big Band (Australia) Masterclass: 2019 West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra (Australia) Jury: 2010-2017 International Jazz Orchestra Festival Big Band Contest (Japan)

Jim McNeely
composer / conductor
Maria Schneider
composer / conductor
Bob Brookmeyer
trombone
Slide Hampton
trombone
Thad Jones
trumpet
Steve Wilson
saxophone

Photos

Music

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.