Yuto Mitomi

Yuto Mitomi is a saxophonist, woodwinds player, jazz composer, and arranger based in New York City. As an internationally recognized artist hailing from both Japan and the USA, Mitomi has garnered acclaim for his innovative approach to jazz and a distinctive sound that blends tradition with modernity.

After moving to New York City and graduating with a BFA in Jazz program from The City College of New York, Mitomi began performing regularly in the local jazz scene. He has appeared at venues such as Antique Garage, Shapeshifter Lab, and Rockwood Music Hall. Since 2016, Mitomi has been a regular performer at Tomi Jazz, a renowned jazz venue in New York City with over 20 years of history.

Since 2017, Mitomi has been conducting annual tours in Japan, performing in various cities across the country with his own band, as well as with co-leader Yuto Kanazawa in a project named "Utopia," and as a sideman. In 2022, Mitomi was awarded the ARTS for the Future grant by the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs and presented three different projects—Jazz Quartet, Quintet, and Octet—in Japan.

Born in Niigata and raised in Yokohama, Japan, Mitomi's musical journey began at an early age. Introduced to the piano at three years old, he later discovered his passion for the saxophone in middle school. His musical pursuits flourished during his time at the University of Electro-Communications (UEC), where he honed his skills and performed at prestigious jazz festivals such as the Yokohama Jazz Promenade and Fuchu Jazz Festival.

Upon graduating from UEC, Mitomi embarked on a dual career path. As a saxophonist, he earned recognition as a "Jazz New Face" at Asagaya Manhattan, one of Tokyo's historical jazz clubs, where he led his own quartet for over three years. Simultaneously, Mitomi pursued a career in vehicle development at a Toyota Group Company, balancing his passion for music with his engineering expertise.

In 2011, Mitomi made the pivotal decision to move to New York City to further his musical education at The City College of New York. Under the guidance of renowned mentors such as Steve Wilson (Saxophonist), John Ellis (Saxophonist), and Mike Holober (Pianist/Arranger), he refined his craft and expanded his musical horizons.

Mitomi's discography includes three albums as a leader and co-leader, including "Continuation" (2019), "Utopia" (2018), a duo project with New York-based Japanese guitarist Yuto Kanazawa, and "Imaginably" (2021), each showcasing his artistic evolution and boundary-pushing creativity.