Ayako Shirasaki
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese jazz
pianist
and composer
living in Brooklyn
, New York
. She began her professional career at the age of twelve by playing gigs at the "J" jazz club in Tokyo. She was featured in Swing Journal. Shirasaki took classical music as her major at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
and gave concerts as a classical pianist for several years after graduating before returning to play jazz.
She moved to New York City in 1997. In August 2003 the Japanese indie label What's New Records released her debut trio CD "Existence" (Lewis Nash
on drums, Marco Panascia on bass) in Japan. "Musically Yours" her second CD was released in June, 2005. Before giving birth to her two children, Ayako’s solo piano album "Home Alone" was released in April 2006. In the same year she has been featured on Marian McPartland
's National Public Radio Show Piano Jazz
. and on the compilation CD "An NPR Jazz Christmas with Marian McPartland and Friends, Vol. 3".
She was a finalist in the Mary Lou Williams
Women In Jazz Piano Competition in 2005 and 2006 and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
After her parental leave she continued her career with a performance at the 1st International Jazz Solo Piano Festival 2009 in Germany. In 2010 she performed at the Jazz Journalists Association
Awards Gala.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
living in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. She began her professional career at the age of twelve by playing gigs at the "J" jazz club in Tokyo. She was featured in Swing Journal. Shirasaki took classical music as her major at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music
or is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in Japan. Located in Ueno Park, it also has facilities in Toride, Ibaraki, Yokohama, Kanagawa, and Kitasenju, Adachi, Tokyo...
and gave concerts as a classical pianist for several years after graduating before returning to play jazz.
She moved to New York City in 1997. In August 2003 the Japanese indie label What's New Records released her debut trio CD "Existence" (Lewis Nash
Lewis Nash
Lewis Nash is an American jazz drummer. According to Modern Drummer magazine, Nash has one of the longest discographies in jazz. and has played on over 400 records by musicians, earning him the honor of being named Jazz's Most Valuable Player by the magazine in it's May, 2009 issue...
on drums, Marco Panascia on bass) in Japan. "Musically Yours" her second CD was released in June, 2005. Before giving birth to her two children, Ayako’s solo piano album "Home Alone" was released in April 2006. In the same year she has been featured on Marian McPartland
Marian McPartland
Margaret Marian McPartland, OBE is an English-born jazz pianist, composer, writer, and the host of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on National Public Radio, NPR.-Early life:...
's National Public Radio Show Piano Jazz
Piano Jazz
Piano Jazz is a weekly one hour radio show produced and distributed by National Public Radio. It began on June 4, 1978 and has always been hosted by jazz pianist Marian McPartland. It is the longest running cultural program on NPR. The show features a single guest, and usually consists of about an...
. and on the compilation CD "An NPR Jazz Christmas with Marian McPartland and Friends, Vol. 3".
She was a finalist in the Mary Lou Williams
Mary Lou Williams
Mary Lou Williams was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Williams wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, and recorded more than one hundred records...
Women In Jazz Piano Competition in 2005 and 2006 and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
After her parental leave she continued her career with a performance at the 1st International Jazz Solo Piano Festival 2009 in Germany. In 2010 she performed at the Jazz Journalists Association
Jazz Journalists Association
The Jazz Journalists Association is an international organization of all types of media professionals who document, promulgate, or appreciate jazz. As of 2011, it has approximately 500 members, primarily in North America but also on other continents...
Awards Gala.
- 2003 - Existence
- 2005 - Musically Yours
- 2006 - Home Alone
- 2010 - Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg
Compilations
- 2006 - An NPR Christmas Collection with Marian McPartland and Friends
- 2006 - NPR Jazz Christmas With Marian McPartland and Friends III
- 2009 - Best of 1st International Jazz Solo Piano Festival 2009