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Katsuko Tanaka
A New York based Japanese jazz pianist and composer
About Me
Jazz pianist Katsuko Tanaka combines her sensitive and elegant legato touch rooted in solid classical piano training with Brooklyn Black church influenced jazz groove and delivers her energetic and dynamic yet lyrical piano performance style. Born in Osaka, Japan, Tanaka started her ear training and sight reading education from the age of three at a local YAMAHA music school. Tanaka took an extensive piano training program from Dr. Chieko Heki in her childhood which navigated into further prestigious conservatory classical music programs. After studying in Japan, Tanaka was chosen as a Rotary International Foundation Ambassador to California, where she met her jazz mentor Willie Jones III, whose performance turned her interest to jazz music. She obtained a BA in classical piano performance from California State University, returned to Japan, and became active leading her jazz trio and quintet and wrote original music. In 2008 Tanaka relocated to New York to attend Queens College jazz performance master course. While at QC, Tanaka met professor Antonio Hart who guest appeared on her debut album “Beyond Intersection” (2010), on which Tanaka recorded her five original compositions with the sensational trio with Willie Jones III and Danton Boller. After receiving an MA from Queens College, Tanaka quickly ensconced herself in the vibrant NYC jazz scene leading her own band featuring internationally acclaimed musicians such as Victor Lewis, Lonnie Plaxico, Gene Jackson and Willie Jones III; as well as upcoming musicians like Dezron Douglass, Corcoran Holt, etc. The band performed at Jazz at Kitano, Zinc Bar, Mezzrow, Fat Cat (former Cellar Dog), and others. In 2011 Tanaka started her regular appearance in Japan featuring Gene Jackson. Her second album “Wish Board” with Corcoran Holt and Willie Jones III was released in 2016; followed by digital singles “Village Night Hang” and “A Dream” with Gene Jackson and Daiki Yasukagawa in 2020, which project was funded by Agency for Cultural Affairs Government of Japan as one of the significant and artistic feat during the shutdown due to the pandemic. In 2022 the third album “Sunlight Sky” was recorded. Released in 2025, “Sunlight Sky” featured strong jazz piano music. Her respect to the selected three piano Masters can be heard on the music of Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock, whom Willie Jones III played as their side man; and on the music of Mulgrew Miller, whom Lonnie Plaxico has a long time musical relationship with. Both Jones and Plaxico, who are established musicians in the International jazz scene, have been supporting Tanaka over the years performing together. Tanaka’s black music influence exemplified by selecting Stevie Wonder’s music and by recording her church influenced original composition “Happy Monday.” On Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You)” you can hear Tanaka’s classical piano introductory rendition in her arrangement. Among her five original compositions, the title track “Sunlight Sky” features Takuya Kuroda’s vibrant trumpet sound. Tanaka has been taking care of her mother for the last seven years and was pushed in the dark once, but continuing to perform jazz music at various gigs navigated her to reach a joy. Thus, not only jazz is an American music, but also her life itself by pursuing a hope from during her struggling time. Fortunately, her mother was cured and became well. On the album jacket Tanaka shows her respect to her parents and the ancestors by wearing a modern outfit up-cycled from her grandmother’s kimono. ”Sunlight Sky” expresses her strong voice that Tanaka wishes whoever shares her music is encouraged, feels uplifted, sees his/her sunlight, and celebrates life.
