Katsuko Tanaka

Katsuko Tanaka had taken classical music education (piano performance, sight reading, and ear training) from the age of three at YAMAHA music school in Osaka. She was given the opportunity to perform the keyboards in a jazz-fusion group Doppo & AZOTH at Japan Expo held at Anaheim Convention Center, California. After studied classical piano performance extensively at Osaka College of Music, she received a Rotary International Foundation scholarship to study at California State University, Long Beach, for one academic year. At CSULB she was awarded Jean Louise Boggess Scholarship; Mary E. Israel Scholarship; State Paid Lessons (for all the semesters she attended); and Certificate of Merit in Recognition of Outstanding Achievement. She graduated CSULB with a B.A. degree in music major, classical piano performance.Being inspired by the great live jazz music during her stay in the States, Katsuko started to take her private jazz piano lessons from Kei Akagi, Cecilia Coleman, Brad Mehldau, Senator Eugene Wright, etc. Shortly thereafter she participated sessions at local clubs in Los Angeles area. After her graduation in 1997, she returned to Japan and started her career in the area of the jazz.From 2001 to 2007 Katsuko has played at jazz clubs with various groups in Osaka area, where she was born and raised. Continuing the pursuit of musical artistry, she writes original songs and presents them to the audience with her group Katsuko Tanaka Piano Trio with Yasutaka Yorozu(b) and Takehiro Shimizu(ds) and also Katsuko Tanaka Quintet featuring Takashi Shimamoto(tp) and Hideki Kawamura(ts). On January 21, 2008, she moved to New York and is currently attending Queens College (in jazz piano performance, grad. course).