I had never heard of Yoko Miwa when I placed her album, "Canopy of Stars," into the CD player. Almost instantly this Japan-born, Boston-based performer became one of my favorite pianists. I should add "favorite composers," because she wrote every tune on this superb album, and each is a wonderful musical statement. In terms of style, Miwa can be as fiery as Chick Corea (check out the opening cut, "La Estacion," and "Tango Soledad"). But she also has a more subtle, gentle side, beautifully exemplified by the title tune and "Behind the Clouds." Her arrangements for her excellent trio - with Massimo Biolcati on bass and Scott Goulding on drums - are textbook examples of almost telepathic musical communication. Each time she solos, Miwa finds the perfect balance of melody and abstraction. On "Solitude" she gives the spotlight to guest bassist Bronek Suchanek, who repays this honor with a gorgeous arco solo.