Miho Wada was born in Tokyo and grew up by the sea in Miyazaki, Japan. After New Zealand won the America's cup yacht race and their families hearts, they moved to Christchurch, where she accidentally started learning the flute. Having soon after finished a bachelor's degree at the top of her class in music at the University of Canterbury she moved to London to study at Trinity College of Music.
Finding herself wanting more of a challenge after a stint in the National Orchestra of Malta she flew to Cuba studying flute and performing with members of Sones de Oriente, Kotumba, Sierra Maestra and Buena Vista Social Club in Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
Miho's performing career has since taken her on numerous international tours, recording sessions, and live radio and television performances throughout a broad range of genres. She has performed internationally with artists such as Nigel Kennedy, Jarvis Cocker, Ska Cubano and recorded a series of TV adverts with Iggy Pop. After touring WOMAD festivals in 2009, Miho returned to NZ and started composing and performing her own original music, debuting internationally at the SXSW showcase in Austin, Texas in 2010.
She formed Miho's Jazz Orchestra in 2011. Originally put together for a one off charity album the members had so much fun they decided to stay together and see where the road took them. With 8 albums and three EPs, including one recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, the band has been prolific. They have toured and performed at festivals in Japan, Australia and New Zealand achieving success in the NZ album charts hitting the top 10 and 20 numerous times.
Miho’s 10th anniversary album is taking a look at issues from neighbours feeding cats all the way up to ocean pollution, rainforest destruction and global warming with her usual quirky, fun loving energy and amazing band.
