About Nina
Nina is a US-born, Tokyo-raised jazz vocalist and pianist whose compositions seamlessly bridge traditional Japanese scales and poetic writing with global jazz avant-garde. Her artistry is defined by a deep, resonant connection to nature and a mastery of intricate, nature-inspired melodies.
Musical Origins
Nina’s path began in Tokyo with intensive classical piano training, establishing her technique. Her artistic evolution flourished in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where she studied jazz and spent years honing her musicianship. This pivotal time allowed her to master a sophisticated harmonic language while refining her identity as a creative vocalist, pianist, and composer.
During her London residency, Nina successfully blended her Japanese heritage with the complexities of international jazz. This rigorous period of development at the conservatoire resulted in a signature aesthetic—a profound blend of innate melodic sensibilities and the structural depth of contemporary jazz.
The Inspiration
Earth
The concept for my album stems from Nina's love for nature and our home, Earth. The album title is the Japanese word 'Komorebi'—the evocative beauty of sunlight filtering through tree leaves. It represents a delicate interplay between light and shadow, much like the rhythmic nuances of jazz.
This music explores cross-cultural themes, blending her Tokyo heritage with the expansive possibilities of improvisation. It is an invitation to pause and appreciate the transient beauty found in nature’s constant flow.