Migiwa Miyajima - Composer | Pianist | Producer

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 a deep appreciation for our shared humanity and the beauty in nature. She is experienced in large jazz ensembles and skilled at combining numerous sounds and creating 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.

In 2019, observing that societies worldwide have become increasingly divided by a fear of what is unknown, Tate master/choreographer Kyo Kasumi, and Migiwa Miyajima, a jazz composer/big band leader, founded the “Samurai Jazz Project” which dedicates to empowering people facing unprecedented events and hurdles.

- Photo: Hayato Sakurai, Stylist: Aika Funahashi (Team Colors), Hair and Makeup: Saki Aogi (Team Colors)