Blue Note recording artist Chihiro Yamanaka is one of the most exciting jazz pianists and composers to come out of Japan. "Because" is her creative reworking of the Beatles classics…

Chihiro Yamanaka ( 山中千尋 ) is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. She has more than a dozen recordings released under her own name, principally on the Verve label, most of which have been released internationally. This album marks her major debut 10th anniversary commemorative work!

This new album is delivered only 8 months after the previous album "Today Is Another Day". It was recorded entirely new in New York with a trio with Yoshi Waki (b) and John Davis (ds). The concept is a tribute album dedicated to Wayne Shorter, the great jazz saxophonist who passed away in March. After opening with "Dolce Vita" and "To S.," two new songs written by Yamanaka for this album, the album features a number of songs covering Shorter's career, including "Yes or No," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Footprints. The arrangements and performances, sometimes bold, sometimes delicate, are a must for all jazz fans, with the occasional addition of an organ. The album ends with two songs dedicated to Ryuichi Sakamoto, who also passed away in March.