We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mayu Saeki. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mayu below.

Mayu, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

My experience being a member of NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton, who left us in 2013, taught me two of the most important lessons that I have learned in my life.

First, what does it mean to give of yourself unreservedly to something? In Chico’s case, it was music, and every time he walked on to a stage, he honestly opened himself up to the audience and gave them everything he had. Chico was of that rare breed that consistently crossed the line from playing music to making music. That same distinction can be made between being alive and living. Chico taught me to not settle for simply being alive, but instead to live; to make music rather than play music.

My second lesson was that when you create a comfortable and supportive space for others, you provide them with the opportunity to discover who they are and then they can share their passion with others. With Chico, the evidence of this is all the musicians who joined his group as youngsters, eventually left the group as mature players. Chico showed me how the act of humility is key in creating a space for others to flourish.

Allow me to share a personal memory of Chico. I attended his weekly home sessions right after I moved to NYC from Japan in 2009. His guitarist, who I happened to connect with at a jam session, invited me. I had no idea where I was going as the guitarist did not tell me any details. I arrived the address that I was given and saw Chico’s name on the door (Penthouse B, which is a song from one of his albums). I opened the door, and Chico was there with all his band members. The session started, and he asked me to play the flute. After an hour, he called his manager, Jeffrey in LA, to let him know that he found a “new flute player.” My “American dream” came true during the second week of my NYC life.

Chico asked me to perform a solo on a song for one of his albums. At the recording studio, I asked him if I could do another take, because I felt like I did not do my best. He called me to the engineer’s room and asked why I wanted to do the piece again. Chico explained that he hired me for this important album because he believed in me, meaning he trusted my music. When he did not allow me to redo my solo it meant that he thought it was great. Chico showed me that someone who was already established trusted my music, and believed in ME. That opened my heart and provided me with the confidence to play music without fear. Chico was my boss, my teacher, and my mentor on and off the stage. Even after his death, Chico remains in my heart and soul, motivating me to keep going, no matter what.

Mayu, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Japanese-born flutist, pianist, composer, recording artist, bandleader, and educator based in New York City.

I relocated to New York from Tokyo in 2009. I was given the special opportunity to be a flutist with NEA Jazz Master Chico Hamilton’s group. I joined several of his albums, including “Revelation” & “Euphoric” (Joyous Shout! 2011). I continued to work with Chico Hamilton until he passed away in 2013. His last recording, “The Inquiring Mind” (Joyous Shout! 2014) featured my original composition, “Hope.”

I began actively performing with my own group in 2011 and debuted at “Jazz at the Kitano” (NYC). I later successfully toured nationwide.

During my “post-Chico” era, the “sideman” segment of my career as a flutist continued to grow. I joined an all-female Irish music group, the Four Celtic Voices, and performed with Grammy award-winning jazz alto saxophonist, Mark Gross’s group. I also appeared with Latin Grammy award-winning artist, Arturo O’Farrill. I broaden my musical scope to include all kinds of music by working with rock singer/songwriter, Cosmos Sunshine, harpist & singer, Erin Hills on her Kate Bush Project, and many other artists.

My debut album “HOPE” was released by Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records on March 16, 2018. The album includes original compositions previously recorded for Chico Hamilton’s Euphoria: Dilemma, Do You Know…? and Hope. My nationwide album release tour took place in 2018. I was featured in Downbeat magazine on their artist feature page (July 2018) written by Phillip Lutz. I was also nominated for the “Rising Star Flute” category in Downbeat Magazine for four consecutive years (2019 – 2022).

I have been a voting member for the Recording Academy since 2022. This signifies that I have been a long term, valued member of the music community in the United States.

As for my theater-work, I was a substitute flutist for the Off-Broadway production Fiddler on The Roof Yiddish at Stage 42 (NYC) in 2018 – 2020, and at New World Stages (NYC) in 2022. I also worked on the Goodbye New York musical as an accompanist (pianist), featuring Ben Jeffrey (currently Pumbaa for The Lion King on Broadway) and Arielle Jacobs (formerly Jasmin for Aladdin on Broadway). Recently, I performed two shows as my own flute chair, for Miss Saigon at the White Plains Performing Arts Center and The Secret Garden at the Contemporary Theater of Connecticut.

My classical music work includes serving as a flutist for The Opera Next Door production,

Bronx Arts Ensemble, and Hills Concerto Competition.

I am an endorsement artist for Trevor James Flutes. https://www.altoandbass.com/artists

I am also a recording artist for Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records. http://www.bjurecords.com/mayu-saeki

As an educator, I was a guest clinician for the Texas Summer Flute Symposium at Texas A&M University, Arizona State University, and for Women in Jazz at The Nash in Phoenix, AZ. I was honored to be invited as a guest speaker at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music by Professor Demarre McGill in spring 2023. I am currently a faculty member at “Jazz House Kids” in New York City, conducting a weekly piano group class. I also teach piano and flute for the HUG music school.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I am making a living in NYC, doing what I love! NYC is where dreams can come true. Performing gives me the opportunity to express myself through my music. Collaborating with other artists always inspires me and leads to different, better ideas. Being a music educator helps me understand my students/people on a deeper level. I will say it is not always fun or easy. Nonetheless, it is worth it, and I have no regrets.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal is to open my own music school. I would love to share my journey, as a performer and educator, with younger generations to help them understand how music can enhance their life, and the lives of others. I believe that we connect more profoundly through music, regardless of where we are from or what life path we traveled down. I believe that my experience can serve both as a cautionary tale and a success story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mayusaekimusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayusaekimusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayuSaekiFlautist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayu-saeki-234976115
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayusaekiflautist6315

Image Credits

Mayu Saeki
Gulnara Khamatova (Photographer)
Trever James Flutes (Flute company)