Kiyoe is a San Francisco-based jazz vocalist, who started to sing jazz during college in Japan. In Japan she had the opportunity to meet and listen to fine jazz artists such as Carmen McRea, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Jim Hall, Joe Henderson etc while she was working as an interpreter for Jazz Magazines, and she fell deeply in love with jazz. She also was a regular customer at jazz cafes in Tokyo, staying for hours to listen to jazz where the master introduces thousands of jazz records.
 

After she moved to California, she met VIVA BRASIL, a Brazilian MPB band led by Claudio Amarale, and fell in love with his music. Since then her interest in music switched to Brazilian music. She formally studied jazz at San Jose State University and started playing Brazilian music DUO with guitarist Az Samad. Her passion for Brazilian music did not stop, and she explored classes at the California Jazz Conservatory and California Brazil Camp where Brazilian master musicians and dancers come once a year and teach and perform.  She has been fortunate to study with some of the greatest Brazilian artists such as Fabiana Cozza, Toninho Horta, Alessandro Penezzi, Chico Pinheiro, Spok, Joyce, Guinga and many more.  
 

She has performed at various festivals and venues throughout California, and performs in Japan from time to time. She has performed with some great jazz musicians, including the late Smith Dobson, Herb Ellis, the late Bob Florence, Marcos Silva, Carlos Oliveira, etc. She also has sung in premier vocal jazz ensemble groups, including Vocal Flight and Synchronicity, which was one of the 6 finalists in the national competition hosted by Berklee School of Music.
 

Kiyoe is releasing her first Album under the direction of Fabiana in early 2024, and collaborated with her idol and master Claudio Amarale who has changed her music direction. Her journey continues, and she is excited to explore Brazilian music more!