YUKO MABUCHI and TRIO | With special guest MICHAEL PAULO
Thu, 30 Jul, 8:30 PM PDT
Doors open
7:00 PM PDT
Catalina Jazz Club
6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028
Description
The Yuko Mabuchi Trio & Special Guest: Michael Paulo
Yuko Mabuchi (piano)
Del Atkins (bass)
Peter Buck (drums)
Special Guest: Michael Paulo (sax)
Classically trained in Japan from a young age, YUKO MABUCHI discovered the excitement of jazz, R&B, hip hop, and blues during her teenage years, marking the beginning of an extraordinary musical journey. After moving to Los Angeles to study jazz, she quickly connected with some of the city’s top musicians, who helped mentor and shape her evolving sound.
Before long, she was performing at premier Los Angeles venues as well as on major national stages, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., among others.
Blending her classical foundation with jazz improvisation and vibrant Caribbean and Latin influences, Yuko has crafted a stunning, genre-defying sound. Over the years, her discography has grown to include seven remarkable albums. Her early releases, Waves and My Life (Vista), showcase her original compositions. The Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Yarlung Records), recorded live at USC’s Cammilleri Hall, topped audiophile charts, while Tribute to Miles (Yarlung Records) earned “Jazz Album of the Year” honors from Native DSD and was released on both CD and vinyl. Her 2020 double album YUKO (Vista) further expanded her musical range, followed by The Caribbean Canvas (Vista, 2022), which beautifully blends Caribbean influences with her signature style.
In her latest projects, QUANTUM (Vista, 2025) and her 2025 single ETHEREAL (SRGJazz), Yuko continues to explore the harmony between jazz and classical music, a reflection of her belief in the oneness of all musical forms. Her second 2026 single, PARADISO (SRGJazz), features a collaboration with renowned jazz artist Jeff Lorber.
Through her distinctive fusion of genres, Yuko creates a universal language of rhythm and melody that resonates deeply with audiences around the world. Whether performing in an intimate setting or on a grand festival stage, her music leaves a lasting impression, marked by emotional authenticity, artistry, and inspiration.
IN THE PRESS:
"Yuko Mabuchi is an extraordinary pianist whose performances captivate audiences around the world. Known for her distinctive fusion of jazz, Latin, pop, and classical influences, she brings remarkable emotional depth, expressive nuance, and a magnetic stage presence to every performance. Her heartfelt artistry transforms each concert into a memorable and immersive musical experience."
"Yuko Mabuchi’s unique blend of classical technique, jazz improvisation, and deep emotional expression creates an instant connection with audiences—her performances consistently leave a lasting impact."
Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages
World Jazz
YUKO MABUCHI
YUKO MABUCHI
World Jazz
Classically trained in Japan from a young age, YUKO MABUCHI discovered the excitement of jazz, R&B, hip hop, and blues during her teenage years, marking the beginning of an extraordinary musical journey. After moving to Los Angeles to study jazz, she quickly connected with some of the city’s top musicians, who helped mentor and shape her evolving sound.
Before long, she was performing at premier Los Angeles venues as well as on major national stages, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., among others.
Blending her classical foundation with jazz improvisation and vibrant Caribbean and Latin influences, Yuko has crafted a stunning, genre-defying sound. Over the years, her discography has grown to include seven remarkable albums. Her early releases, Waves and My Life (Vista), showcase her original compositions. The Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Yarlung Records), recorded live at USC’s Cammilleri Hall, topped audiophile charts, while Tribute to Miles (Yarlung Records) earned “Jazz Album of the Year” honors from Native DSD and was released on both CD and vinyl. Her 2020 double album YUKO (Vista) further expanded her musical range, followed by The Caribbean Canvas (Vista, 2022), which beautifully blends Caribbean influences with her signature style.
In her latest projects, QUANTUM (Vista, 2025) and her 2025 single ETHEREAL (SRGJazz), Yuko continues to explore the harmony between jazz and classical music, a reflection of her belief in the oneness of all musical forms. Her second 2026 single, PARADISO (SRGJazz), features a collaboration with renowned jazz artist Jeff Lorber.
Through her distinctive fusion of genres, Yuko creates a universal language of rhythm and melody that resonates deeply with audiences around the world. Whether performing in an intimate setting or on a grand festival stage, her music leaves a lasting impression, marked by emotional authenticity, artistry, and inspiration.
Contemporary Jazz
Catalina Jazz Club
Catalina Jazz Club
Contemporary Jazz
The American dream came true for Catalina Popescu in October of 1986 when she and her husband Bob created a supper club devoted to serving an experience of superb eats and the shared magic of live performance. That grand experience began at the door where every night her mother Maria would greet each guest as family and share in their love of music. Housed in Hollywood and decked out in a timeless charm, the club offers a cozy ambience under sparkling stage lights garnished with its signature concoction — Jazz. The first artist to grace the stage was the masterful flutist and saxophonist Buddy Collette, and ever since then, over the past 36 years, the Catalina Jazz Club has hosted the most illustrious legends of all time — from the powerful puffers of Dizzy Gillespie to the electrified fingers of McCoy Tyner, the bubbly belt of Dee Dee Bridgewater and Lynda Carter, the flirtatious saxophone of Joshua Redman, the slick strumming of Kenny Burrell, the insane drum clinic of Steve Gadd, the romance of Steve Tyrell, and the masterclass of Mike Stern.
For Catalina, Jazz is our way of life. It breathes pain. It knows love. It dreams hope. It bleeds courage. Whether we’re showcasing Broadway, Soul, R&B, or stand-up comedy, the lesson learned from all the greats who have serenaded our spirits is how to connect to one another. And that’s why the Catalina Jazz Club will always have a table ready for you.
The Catalina Jazz Club has been honored by A.S.M.A.C., California Jazz Foundation, Los Angeles Jazz Society, and a City of Los Angeles Certificate of Appreciation on their 25th Anniversary, which was awarded by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the LA City Council which included then City Council member and current Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.