Women in Jazz: Yoko Miwa at Blues Alley
By • January 29, 2026 0 33
By LaMarr Funn
“It is a dream come true to play two nights at Blues Alley.”
— Yoko Miwa
For two days and four sold-out shows on January 15 and 16, jazz pianist Yoko Miwa returned to Georgetown’s iconic Blues Alley for her first ever two-night, four-show run, marking a milestone moment. The engagement delivered an unforgettable intimate performance experience.
Photo by LaMarr Funn.
Over the past decade, Blues Alley has become another home for the trio. For two frigid nights, fans poured into the historic jazz supper club with bright smiles and eager anticipation, unfazed by the bone chilling cold, united by their devotion to her music.
The ambiance felt perfectly set before the first note was played. Candlelight flickered softly across the tables, casting a warm glow as couples leaned in close and friends shared quiet laughter over beautifully plated dinners. The room buzzed with expectation. When Miwa stepped onto the stage, the energy shifted instantly. Faces lit up as she took her seat at the piano, and conversation dissolved into a reverent hush.
With a subtle nod, Miwa signaled bassist Will Slater and drummer Scott Goulding (who is her husband) to begin. Their musical partnership, developed over 20 years, reflects a remarkable oneness of sound. The trio’s synergy unfolded as a living conversation, intimate, dynamic, and deeply felt. Many in attendance were longtime admirers, eager to witness the Yoko Miwa Trio once again. Included in the audience were devoted “superfans” who traveled from Boston and Connecticut for the occasion.
When Miwa struck the keys, it was with both power and precision. Her playing is forceful yet nuanced, commanding the room without excess. Audience members’ eyes remained transfixed on her hands as they moved effortlessly across the keys, shaping melodies that felt both intentional and free. As the music unfolded, time itself seemed to suspend, shoulders relaxed, heads nodded instinctively, and the room softened in collective response.
Photo by LaMarr Funn.
The trio performed selections from Miwa’s albums “Songs of Joy” and “Fadeless Flower,” showcasing her thoughtful compositions alongside inspired interpretations that surprised and delighted the audience, including works by John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Aerosmith. Each piece revealed Miwa’s versatility and deep musical curiosity, further drawing listeners into the experience.
Throughout her visit, Miwa and her trio transformed Blues Alley into a magical space defined by intimacy, connection, and awe. Miwa possesses a rare ability to completely captivate an audience without force. A noteworthy detail in her artistic lineage: Miwa was mentored by legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal, himself a longtime fixture at Blues Alley, whose influence subtly informs her approach to jazz and the piano.
Across these sold-out nights, Miwa and her trio did more than perform. What emerged was a shared experience immersive, exhilarating and unforgettable. The performances reaffirms why Blues Alley remains sacred ground for jazz and why Yoko Miwa stands firmly among today’s most luminous women in jazz, an artist of remarkable authority, presence and grace.
To learn more about the Yoko Miwa Trio, visit www.yokomiwa.com.
An upcoming documentary by David E. Richardson Jr., currently in production, explores Miwa and her ensemble in depth and is titled Yoko Miwa: Fadeless Flower. Learn more at www.realjazzambassadors.com.
