On June 17, 2024, pianist Miki Yamanaka graced Smalls Jazz Club with an intimate performance alongside bassist Orlando LeFleming and drummer Jimmy Macbride. This trio configuration was particularly notable, as it marked the first time LeFleming joined Yamanaka and Macbride in a live setting. Their collaboration was a prelude to the recording of Yamanaka's album Chance, released in November 2024. The album, recorded at the historic Van Gelder Studio, features a mix of jazz standards and compositions from the Great American Songbook, showcasing Yamanaka's expressive piano playing and the trio's cohesive interplay. (allaboutjazz.com)
This performance at Smalls was part of Yamanaka's ongoing engagement with the New York jazz scene, where she has held residencies at Smalls and Mezzrow Jazz Clubs. Her regular appearances at these venues have solidified her reputation as a central figure in the city's vibrant jazz community. (allaboutjazz.com)