Atsuko Hashimoto, Jazz Organist..
Atsuko Hashimoto, Jazz OrganistAtsuko Hashimoto brings freshness to the jazz repertory and the world of Jazz Organ. Her innovative approach to Hammond B-3 has been revealed to large audiences in both Japan and the United States. Her joyful music, sense of play, abundant personal warmth, all shine through while exercising the full range of voices and dynamics available from the Hammond organ and Leslie Tone Cabinet combination.Born in Osaka, Japan, Atsuko discovered a fascination for the organ at the early age of four. She began to explore the Hammond organ beginning with popular songs and cutting her teeth on jazz classics like Duke Ellington's ‘Take the A Train’. She studied classical music for several years before dedicating herself to jazz music and jazz organ.At age 18, she started working for Hammond Japan, giving live organ demonstrations and instructing as a Hammond-certified teacher. She quickly developed a reputation for her skills at the organ that embodied the creation of complex melodic and harmonic compositions over a consistent, inventive and hard-swinging bass line. In 1992, she fronted her own quartet at the Osaka Jazz Festival and Naniwa Arts Festival, exposing her musicianship to a wider audience.In the spring of 1999, Atsuko debuted in the US. She played at clubs in New Orleans and then in San Jose at the invitation of Pete Fallico, known for his long-running Doodlin' Lounge jazz organ program on KUSP radio, Santa Cruz, California. In the fall, Atsuko returned to play the historic ‘Jazz at Pearls’ club in San Francisco, where she performed with guitarist Bruce Forman. That same year she released her first CD, ‘Jazz Organ Tribute’. Atsuko returned to California two years later, performing to high acclaim at the San Jose Jazz Festival and playing such well-known clubs as ‘The Baked Potato’ in Los Angeles, the ‘Kuumbwa Jazz Center’ in Santa Cruz and the Keton Restaurant in San Jose.Established masters of the Hammond organ have embraced Atsuko as one of their own. In early 2000 she shared the stage with Brother Jack McDuff and his band on tour in Japan, and in September, she appeared with Dr. Lonnie Smith at the Blue Note in Osaka. This date also featured guitarist Randy Johnson and drummer Fukushi Tainaka.Atsuko cut another CD in 2003, ‘Full Organ’, with a trio featuring guitarist Yutaka Hashimoto and drummer Jimmie Smith. In 2005, Atsuko released ‘Songs We Love’ that succeeded in capturing the magic of her live performances with husband and long-time collaborator, Yutaka Hashimoto and drummer Juasa Kano. This CD featured vocalists Harvey Thompson, Tony Scruggs and Elijah Levi.At the 40th Naniwa Arts Festival in 2003, Atsuko received several awards for her outstanding achievements in music including the Shoji Nakayama Jazz Award; the Progressive Musician's Prize; and Awards from both the Governor and Mayor of Osaka. She currently maintains a busy schedule performing and teaching in metropolitan Osaka. Her weekly gig at the Ragtime club in Osaka is popular with musicians as well as jazz fans. Visiting jazz players frequently sit-in with Atsuko’s trio to create music with one of the most exciting improvisers on the jazz organ today.In 2007 her long time collaboration with famed drummer Jeff Hamilton resulted in a booking to perform at the 50th Anniversary Monterey Jazz Festival, and later Smoke Jazz Club in New York.While touring the US a compilation of the material performed together through the years has been put to tape at Capitol Studios, LA. The albums "Time After Time" and “Introducing Atsuko Hashimoto†released in 2008 are both reflections of those years.Atsuko continues to tour Japan and the US to the delight of jazz organ fans and audiences. In early 2008 she performed at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho and the Newport Beach Jazz Party in Orange County.
