We were lucky to catch up with Yuto Mitomi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yuto, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was recording my second jazz album in Fall 2021. It was a time of deep uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unique challenges and limitations to creative work.

During the pandemic, live performances were scarce, and collaboration felt almost impossible due to restrictions. On the other hand, I was fortunate to have an incredible opportunity to record with world-renowned musicians for this project because they were staying in their home city and were more flexible than usual. Normally, these artists are constantly touring, and scheduling even one recording day would have been nearly impossible. The unusual circumstances of that time allowed us to come together, creating something truly special.

This project became a beacon of hope for me. Not only did it capture the emotions of that moment—resilience, longing, and adaptability—but it also brought together a dream team of musicians who added their unique brilliance to the music. The goal was to create something organic and free, focusing on improvisation born from the energy of people sharing the same room—a form of creativity that can only happen in such a setting. Knowing how rare such an opportunity was made the project even more meaningful.

Recording this album taught me to embrace challenges and cherish opportunities. It reinforced my belief in the magic of real-time collaboration, where every note feels alive and spontaneous. As the album prepares for its release in early 2025, I’m eager to share this raw, improvisational energy with the world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

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.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During the pandemic, I faced the challenges of limited opportunities for live music and touring, along with financial constraints. To adapt, I applied for grants in both Japan and New York City, and fortunately, both applications were accepted. This support allowed me to prioritize connecting musicians with audiences, which I believed was crucial during such an isolating time.

I organized performances with an 8-musician large ensemble in both NYC and Tokyo—this was a project I had established before the pandemic. While the ensembles were not the same group of musicians each time, the common thread was that I composed and organized each performance. Although it was difficult to organize these ensembles during a pandemic, I felt it was more meaningful to bring the energy and impact of a large ensemble to audiences rather than focusing on smaller units. This experience not only allowed me to collaborate with incredible musicians but also strengthened bonds within the music community, many of which continue to thrive today.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the process of finding myself. It’s a way to engage in deep conversations with my inner thoughts and emotions. I also find great fulfillment in connecting with others through my work and sharing values that resonate with people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yutomitomi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yutomitomi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC98FpHrDmZWEb9xc083MK8A

Image Credits

Artist Photo by Yusuke Yamanouchi
Additional photos by Yuto Kanazawa