Noriko Ueda is originally from Hyogo, Japan. Her interest in music began early in her life, studying classical piano at the age of 4. At 16, she began playing the electric bass. At age 18,  she began her career with the upright bass.

Noriko was the B.E.S.T. scholarship recipient for the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she majored in Jazz Composition, graduating in 1997. She then relocated to NY.

 

Noriko has performed at many historical jazz venues include “Carnegie Hall”, “Blue Note New York”,  “Jazz at Lincoln Center - Dizzy’s Club”, “John F. Kennedy Center”, "Hollywood Bowl", “Birdland”, "Small's" and "Blue Note Tokyo".

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She has performed, toured and recorded with various groups including the legendary “Frank Wess Quintet” and his Nonet, "Kenny Barron Quintet", "ARTEMIS", “Ted Rosenthal Trio”,  “The DIVA Jazz Orchestra”, “Five Play”, “Grady Tate Band”, “Harry Whitaker Band”, Makoto Ozone and Terumasa Hino.

 

Highlights

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“ARTEMIS” leaded by Renee Rosnes had a sold out concert at Carnegie Hall, and featured to VANITY FAIR magazine. (2019) Our Debut album will be released from BLUE NOTE RECORDS this fall. (2020)

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Her first leader Trio album “DEBUT” features Ted Rosenthal (piano) and Quincy Davis (drums) has released from the Japanese record company “Terashima Records”. (2015)

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Performed at Blue Note New York several times with her leading band, Noriko Ueda Trio, Quartet and her big band “Noriko Ueda Jazz Orchestra”, also as a featured artist. (2002 - 2018)

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Touring Japan with Ted Rosenthal Trio 13 times (2006 - 2019), and his CD “Out of this World” which reached #1 on the national jazz radio charts. (2011)

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Member of “Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra” also “Five Play” over 15 years, performed for many special occasions including the collaboration with Johnny Mandel (2010), recording the music track for Macy’s July 4th fire works event which was broadcast on NBC, included a big band piece she arranged. (2014) Also our newest CD "DIVA + The BOYS" is the collaboration include wonderful Cloudio Roditi and Ken Peplowski. (2019)

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Featured on Japanese documentary TV show called “ Gutto Chikyu-bin” which introduced the life as a jazz musician in NYC. (2009)

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Noriko is the winner of the third annual BMI Foundation's Charlie Parker Jazz composition Prize for her original big band piece "Castle in the North”. (2002)

 

Quote

~ she totally rocked the band with her huge, rich, and clear swinging sound.  Her ensemble playing and solos were outstanding throughout the entire performance.  She also has very creative composition and orchestration skills for small and large ensemble. Noriko Ueda stands tall as a contemporary world class musician in my book!

-Rufus Reid, Jazz Bassist/Composer