Kayo Hiraki

Kayo Hiraki is one of the few Japanese jazz musicians established on New York City's jazz scene, where she plays with some of the best musicians in the world. After playing a session with her, the legendary bassist Ron Carter said: “Rarely have I heard a musician as gifted as Ms. Hiraki. To hear her play is to experience the joy of her creative ability and the depth of her experience as a talented performer.” A child prodigy, Kayo attended Kunitachi Music College and won recognition in Japan as a composer, arranger and performer before taking on the Big Apple. She has released 6 CDs representing her unique interpretation of jazz standards and original compositions.

Album Reviews

Manhattan Sunset by Mike Jurkovic
I Wish You Love by Dan Bilawsky
I Wish You Love by C. Michael Bailey

”One of the best recorded trio performances of this immortal tune [”Ceora” in I Wish You Love]... Kayo and her group clearly deserve to be categorized as exceptional.” —Edward Blanco, All About Jazz

“Hiraki's style of keeping the music tight while building up anticipation of the climax is quite beautiful... great talent as a composer.” —Fukushima Minpo News Paper, Japan

“Pianist Kayo Hiraki leads a flexible bop trio with Patrick O’Leary/b and Eric Halvorson along with a handful of guests through some well composed originals and a few covers..