Smorgasbord
Yoko Miwa wishes you a happy birthday at the Mad Monkfish on Friday, 20 December 2024.
Her cat’s name is Edamame.
The Yoko Miwa Trio played to a full house on a brisk December night in Central Square. All the usual holiday trimmings adorned the interior of the Jazz Baroness Room (so named after a famous, wealthy, and particularly smitten patroness of Thelonious Monk). Replete with festive cheer, it was a good night to knock back a tall glass of Sapporo and catch up with Yoko Miwa.
The jazz pianist plays a regular weekly gig at the Mad Monkfish, leading her trio of bass and drums through a songbook of jazz classics, plus some bluesier sounds, and maybe even a rock song or two. Friday night’s set was a typical smorgasbord.
Herbie Hancock’s “And What If I Don’t” was a nod to the canon. Vince Guaraldi’s “O Tannenbaum” was a Charlie Brown nod to the season. The original piece “Edamame” was a nod to Miwa’s cat, Edamame. And “Dear Prudence” was a nod to “Jack,” a Beatles-loving birthday boy on the night and regular Miwa fan in attendance.
Plenty of nodding, no nodding off. Hola, Merry Christmas, Feliz cumpleaños, Sayonara, Good Night, Happy New Year!