Jazz vocalist Aya Ishida has just released a new album, Day by Day.
Q: What was your introduction to music? How old were you, and how did it affect you?
A: When I was very little, maybe 2 or 3 years old, my mom was always playing Japanese children songs for me and I loved singing them so much. Since then, I was very curious and passionate learning music.
Q: Did you grow up in a musical environment?
A: Actually I’m the only musician in my family. However my mom always let me sing a lot of songs in my childhood, and after my parents noticed that I loved singing, they were very supportive to learn singing, playing piano and Japanese drums.
Q: What styles of music had the greatest impact on you creatively?
A: Jazz. There are still so many things that I want to learn and get inspirations from jazz.
Q: How would you describe your musical style?
A: I would say it’s modern jazz.
Q: What are your goals, artistically speaking?
A: lways be creative and be able to express my thoughts into music. Also I really hope my music can provide a moment of happiness to someone’s life.
Q: When did you decide to be a singer, and what fueled this passion?
A: I always wanted to be a singer since I was very small, but when I was 19 years old, I made a decision to pursue a career as a professional singer. Before that, I wasn’t crazy, but I partied a lot in Japan…lol One day, I asked myself “What am I doing in my life? What do I really want to do?” and than I noticed I wanted to be a jazz vocalist and decided to study abroad in the U.S. to lean English and jazz. Music is my passion and every time I see great singers/musicians, I feel very excited and have a desire I want to be like them. The feeling keeps me singing.
Q: What artists influenced you the most growing up?
A: I grew up in Japan, and I used to listen to Japanese-pop and rock music such as SPEED and X Japan. I started listening to music from the U.S in my junior high and I loved Destiny’s Child mostly Beyoncé.
Q: How have you evolved creatively?
A: Not only to listen to great music, but also go out and see new things. Whenever I have time, I try to go to museums to get inspirations. Hanging out with my non-musicians friends gave me new perspectives too.
Website:
https://www.ayaishida.com/#!
