PROGRAM

• hard swinging bebop language with a sophisticated harmonic elegance
• e.g. Some Day My Prince Will Come, Far Away (original)

ARTISTIC PROFILE

Recognized in her native Japan as a jazz prodigy (in the 5th grade she was already transcribing Bud Powell solos), Ayako Shirasaki while yet a pre-teen won many prizes including the Grand Prize at the Asakusa Jazz Competition. Her professional career began at the tender age of twelve when she began regular appearances at the “J” jazz club in Tokyo. Her extraordinary talent was soon recognized, and she was featured in Swing Journal. Ayako, now living in New York, is fast making a name for herself as one of the most exciting and inventive pianists on the New York jazz scene. She has been heard at the Blue Note, The Kitano, Birdland, Cobi’s Place, Dizzy’s Jazz Club etc. Her unique style and strong rhythmic sense have made her much in demand. Lastly her long awaited Solo Piano CD “Home Alone” has been released in 2006. After giving birth to her second child she is now resuming her career with participating in the International Jazz Solo Piano Festival.

• Finalist of the Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Piano Competition 2005 and 2006
• Finalist of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition 2004, 2005 and 2006
• Appearance on the Marian McPartland NPR PIANO JAZZ Radio Show

“Ayako is an extremely gifted musician. She is blessed with great technique, a fertile and creative imagination, a firm understanding of the jazz tradition and a real love for the music. I recommend Ayako without reservation.”
  –   Kenny Barron, Pianist