Yumi Ito and Ester V.M. Maiorani
Foto: Maria Jarzyna
Yumi Ito (born 1990 in Basel) uses her voice to create worlds far beyond all borders. This Polish-Japanese Swiss is considered one of the most outstanding representatives of vocal improvisation, moving effortlessly between genres such as art-pop, jazz and neoclassical music as well as her roles as singer, pianist, composer and improviser. Her music is an ocean of sound colours: powerful, reflective and with a unique energy that she uses like a Zen master. SWR2 Jazz named her one of the vocal discoveries of the year, and Jazzthing and Bandcamp voted her album Stardust Crystals one of the best releases of the year. Yumi Ito lives and works in Basel, performs worldwide (e.g. Blue Note Jazz Festival (NY), Jazzmandu Festival (NP)) and has shared the stage with artists such as Al Jarreau, Becca Stevens and Mark Turner. A prize winner of the Montreux Jazz Competition, she has completed the Focus Year Basel and received priority jazz funding from Pro Helvetia (2022–2024).
Foto: Ester V.M. Maiorani
Ester Maiorani (2001) is an Italian pianist, violinist, and singer. She began her musical training at the age of 3 with her parents and continued her studies at an Italian conservatory, where she completed her master’s degree in classical piano. Alongside her studies, she began her professional career by performing her own compositions and playing on stages in Switzerland and Italy as part of a SEMP exchange program during her final year of her master’s studies. She is currently studying jazz and contemporary music styles, exploring other musical genres, and performing with her own project as well as with other groups in the music scene of the French part of Switzerland.
Project
The project "Ester Maiorani" is a series of scenes inspired by the life of the composer and her encounters. It was born out of a strong desire to share stories through music. The entire ensemble consists of saxophone, flute, a small choir, as well as bass, played by Aro Ramamonjy, and percussion, played by Piergiorgio Colonna. Ester Maiorani created pop, modern jazz, and funk pieces with a classical touch.
Yumi Ito supports the project as a coach, providing advice and feedback on music, composition, band collaboration, recording, production, and broadcasting. The project’s goals include developing a presence on social media, creating a website and newsletter, establishing branding (visual identity, target audience definition), consulting on tour bookings, preparing press kits, riders, and drafting a business plan—with short- and long-term goals and a clear vision for the project.
