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Michika Fukumori

Born on Japan's main island, Michika grew up in the city of Mie and began to play the piano at the age of three. Within the next three years Michika was composing and playing her own music. After studying classical composition at the Aichi Prefectual University of Fine Arts and Music, Michika studied with renowned Japanese pianist Colgen Suzuki and began working professionally at a wide variety of jazz clubs in and around Tokyo.

In 2000,Michika moved to the United States and began studying with Ron Carter and Geri Allen at City College of New York along with private lessons under the tutelage of Steve Kuhn. Michika got her Masters Degree at CCNY in 2003.

Since then, Michika has been playing at many of Manhattan's most prestigious jazz clubs such as Lenox Lounge and Beekman Tower Hotel. In 2004, 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2017 Michika was proud to lead a trio at New York's jazz mecca,The Blue Note. In 2004 Michika recorded her first album, "Infinite Thoughts", joined by David Finck (bass), Billy Drummond (drums) and produced by Steve Kuhn.

In 2016 Michika released her second album," Quality Time" from Summit Records(USA), played with Aidan O'Donnell (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums) and produced by Steve Kuhn. It marked #33 on Jazzweek chart (the radio chart of USA) and stayed within #50 few weeks.

In 2018 Michika released her third album, "Piano Images" (solo piano) from Summit Records. Steve Kuhn produced this album and joined one of his representative songs "Oceans In The Sky" as a four-hand performance.

Today Michika enjoys a variety of work in the U.S. along with annual trips to her homeland, touring Japan as a leader of trios and quartets for the last fifteen years.

Michika is an accompanist for Carol Fredette's Jazz Vocal Workshop and is currently performing at various venues in Manhattan such as Arturo's, Antique Garage and The Kitano (Jazz at Kitano) etc.

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Album Review

Michika Fukumori: Piano Images

Read "Piano Images" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Japanese-born, New York-based pianist Michika Fukumori's first two albums--Infinite Thoughts (Key Click Records, 2004) and Quality Time (Summit Records, 2016)--found her comfortably ensconced in piano trio settings. That most time-honored of formats served her well on both, introducing and showcasing a player with a precision touch, sure sense of swing, and imaginative leanings. For this third date, Fukumori goes it alone. She explores the art of solo piano, using her own original music and classics from the likes of Antonio ...

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Recording

Stunning Originals Featured On Pianist Michika Fukumori's "Piano Images" - Solo Project Produced By Steve Kuhn

Stunning Originals Featured On Pianist Michika Fukumori's "Piano Images" - Solo Project Produced By Steve Kuhn

Source: Mouthpiece Music

Michika Fukumori, a native of Japan, has been living in jny: New York City since 2000. A soulful pianist, she was drawn to the U.S to study jazz and become involved in the New York jazz scene. Piano Images (Summit Records, June 22, 2018) is her third CD release since coming to States. The CD is a solo project, featuring Fukumori on piano playing mostly stunning original compositions as well as several of her favorite jazz standards. Fukumori has played ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Piano Images

Summit Records
2018

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