Jason Kouchak
Encyclopedia
Jason Kouchak is an internationally acclaimed pianist
, composer and singer-songwriter whose works, interests, public contributions and charitable associations span the world including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
(London) and Edinburgh University.
. He has appeared on British Television (BBC
) and the Japanese Broadcasting company (NHK
) performing his own musical compositions. He has toured globally as a classical pianist, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall
(London), La Salle Pleyel (Paris), and the Mariinsky Theatre
(St. Petersburg) with recitals at the Edinburgh International Festival
.
Other performances include "yue liang dai biao wo de xin" arranged for Julian Lloyd Webber
& Jiaxin Cheng
at the Chelsea Arts Club
celebrating Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday gala concert at Chopin's bicentennial Guildhall Concert with singer and actress Elaine Paige
in 2010.
He has also sung in cabaret performances at the Café de Paris
and the Café Royal
.
Kouchak performed his interpretation of "Sakura" for Emperor Akihito
at London's Japanese festival in 1991. He also performed this at the Kobe earthquake charity event in 1995. This piece was recorded with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber
and presented by Olympic ice skater Yuka Sato in 1999.
In 2011 Kouchak performed the Russian Song "Dark Night" on the HMS Belfast for Victory Day.
He also composed the music and lyrics for “The Other Family” with best-selling author Joanna Trollope
which was premiered at the Sage concert hall.
with Stuart Conquest
in 2010.
He also founded the Tsubasa Childrens Choir in 2011 which opened the Matsuri Festival in London, England.
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:...
, composer and singer-songwriter whose works, interests, public contributions and charitable associations span the world including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Early life
Jason Mariano Kouchak was born in Lyon, France. He studied classical piano at the Royal College of MusicRoyal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
(London) and Edinburgh University.
Performing and recording career
Jason Kouchak has recorded five albums. Two of which were recorded at Abbey Road StudiosAbbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
. He has appeared on British Television (BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
) and the Japanese Broadcasting company (NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
) performing his own musical compositions. He has toured globally as a classical pianist, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
He has performed at the Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
(London), La Salle Pleyel (Paris), and the Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
(St. Petersburg) with recitals at the Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is a festival of performing arts that takes place in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, over three weeks from around the middle of August. By invitation from the Festival Director, the International Festival brings top class performers of music , theatre, opera...
.
Other performances include "yue liang dai biao wo de xin" arranged for Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
& Jiaxin Cheng
Jiaxin Cheng
-Career:Jiaxin graduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, China, in 1997. She was already giving performances with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra but left China for further studies in New Zealand where she received her Master's Degree at the University of Auckland in 2001.While in New Zealand...
at the Chelsea Arts Club
Chelsea Arts Club
The Chelsea Arts Club is a private members club located in London with a membership of over 2,400, including artists, poets, architects, writers, dancers, actors, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers...
celebrating Lloyd Webber's 60th Birthday gala concert at Chopin's bicentennial Guildhall Concert with singer and actress Elaine Paige
Elaine Paige
Elaine Paige OBE is an English singer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, North London, Paige attended the Aida Foster stage school, making her first professional appearance on stage in 1964, at the age of 16...
in 2010.
He has also sung in cabaret performances at the Café de Paris
Café de Paris (London)
Café de Paris is a London nightclub, located in the West End, beside Leicester Square on Coventry Street, Piccadilly.It opened in 1924 and subsequently featured such performers as Dorothy Dandridge, Marlene Dietrich, Harry Gold, Harry Roy, Ken Snakehips Johnson and Maxine Cooper Gomberg...
and the Café Royal
Café Royal
The Café Royal was a restaurant and meeting place on 68 Regent Street in London's Piccadilly.-History:The establishment was originally conceived and set up in 1865 by Daniel Nicholas Thévenon, who was a French wine merchant. He had to flee France due to bankruptcy, arriving in Britain in 1863 with...
.
Select appearances
In 1990 he was a guest artist at Princess Margaret's 60th Birthday Celebration and appeared at Zeffirelli's film premiere of Hamlet.Kouchak performed his interpretation of "Sakura" for Emperor Akihito
Akihito
is the current , the 125th emperor of his line according to Japan's traditional order of succession. He acceded to the throne in 1989.-Name:In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to . In...
at London's Japanese festival in 1991. He also performed this at the Kobe earthquake charity event in 1995. This piece was recorded with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
and presented by Olympic ice skater Yuka Sato in 1999.
In 2011 Kouchak performed the Russian Song "Dark Night" on the HMS Belfast for Victory Day.
He also composed the music and lyrics for “The Other Family” with best-selling author Joanna Trollope
Joanna Trollope
Joanna Trollope OBE , is an English novelist.-Life:Joanna Trollope was educated at Reigate County School for Girls followed by St Hugh's College, Oxford. From 1965 to 1967, she worked at the Foreign Office...
which was premiered at the Sage concert hall.
Public contributions
Kouchak's contributions include the launching of the Children’s Giant Chess Set at Holland ParkHolland Park
Holland Park is a district and a public park in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, in west central London, England.Holland Park has a reputation as an affluent and fashionable area, known for attractive large Victorian townhouses, and high-class shopping and restaurants...
with Stuart Conquest
Stuart Conquest
Stuart Conquest is an English chess Grandmaster.-Chess career:In 1981, at the age of 14 he won the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-16 category. Conquest was British Rapidplay Chess Champion in 1997...
in 2010.
He also founded the Tsubasa Childrens Choir in 2011 which opened the Matsuri Festival in London, England.
Discography
- Comme d'Habitude (2011)
- Midnight Classics (2008)
- Forever (2001)
- Watercolours (1999)
- Première Impression - 1997
- Cello Moods (Sakura only)