Monday Michiru: ENSO Album Release

Thursday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

Joe’s Pub – 425 Lafayette Place (at Astor Place)

Admission: $20

Japanese American Songstress Monday Michiru returns to Joe’s Pub to celebrate the release of her latest album, ENSO.

About Monday Michiru

Named to reflect both her Japanese and American-Italian heritages, Monday Michiru started her musical endeavors with studying classical flute then expanded to singing and songwriting. The daughter of famed jazz musicians Toshiko Akiyoshi and Charlie Mariano and stepdaughter of venerable flautist Lew Tabackin, Michiru easily adapted the language of jazz heard at home into her other musical influences, which range from soul to urban club to Brazilian and more.

Her 1987 debut in Japan was not in music but as an actress. She earned Best New Actress awards that allowed her to expand her career by acting in movies, theater, and television, as well as hosting her own video programs and modeling for major commercial ads.

Since her solo record debut in 1991, Michiru has consistently released albums as a solo artist as well as a featured guest on international projects. Her musical style runs the gamut from house to jazz to Latin to soul, an indefinable hybrid that is undeniably hers.

The Double Meaning of Enso

Michiru’s latest album was born out of a project that had been cancelled because of the pandemic. The duality of the word enso lent itself well to Michiru’s creative process and to the situation of the times.

One meaning of enso is more recognizable by its calligraphic rendering: the unfinished circle that is prominent in Zen Buddhism. This iteration, written with the kanji 円相, means “circle of togetherness” or “circle of life.” However, written as 演奏, enso means “musical performance.”

I loved the double meaning behind the word. I wanted to make an album that in a way is my own musical cycle from my classical beginnings in flute to the music forms I have been inspired by, explored and have made mine today.”

— Monday Michiru

There is a two-drink or $12 food minimum per person. To purchase tickets, please visit Joe’s Pub’s website.

Featured photo by Takashi Matsuzaki

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