Takeshi Ohbayashi

Takeshi Ohbayashi was born in Hiroshima in 1987.He began to play piano at 2 years old but changed to trumpet when he was 12.He met a jazz pianist 2 years ago who inspired him to take up the piano again and pursue his love of jazz.He quickly became recognized in his home city for his unique style, innovative original tunes and arrangements of jazz standards.After establishing himself in Hiroshima and Tokyo, Takeshi won a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in 2007.He travelled to Montreux in the summer to compete in the Montreux Jazz Festival's Solo Jazz Piano Competition. He was one of 16 semi-finalists chosen from hundreds of applicants worldwide.He intends to study professional music and is currently studying with Joanne Brackeen, Hal Crook, Dave Santoro and Terri Lyne-Carrington.written by Jonathan Carr