The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

Akiko Tsuruga New York City based Hammond organist and pianist, Akiko Tsuruga, has established herself as an 'in demand' player since arriving from her hometown of Osaka, Japan in 2001.   Akiko began organ lessons at age three, and starting performing professionally throughout Japan after graduating from Osaka College of Music. While performing in Japan, she met and played with many noted American musicians, Roy Hargrove, Jeff "Tain" Watts and Grady Tate to name a few. She credits Grady Tate as being the biggest influence in her career. He played on her debut CD, "Harlem Dreams" and encouraged her to move to New York.   After arriving in New York, Akiko established herself as one of the area’s top organist/pianists. Her trio featuring guitarist Eric Johnson and drummer Vincent Ector has been one of the area’s top groups, working at many jazz nightclubs including Dizzy’s (at Lincoln center) and The Blue Note. Her trio also plays private parties and summer outdoor concerts. Her long awaited debut CD, "Harlem Dreams" featuring Grady Tate and Frank Wess was released in Japan on the M&I Company label on May 19, 2004.   Akiko’s CD is so popular in Japan she has returned twice to perform. Her CD release tour in August 2004 featured Grady Tate on drums and guitarist Satoshi Inoue. In September 2005, she returned to Japan with guitarist Eric Johnson and drummer Fukushi Tainaka. It was this trip that caught the eyes and ears of Hammond Suzuki officials. The group was invited to the factory and Mr. Suzuki personally awarded her a Hammond XK-3 organ and endorsement.   2007 was an especially fruitful year for Akiko. Highlights included performances with the Lou Donaldson Quartet at Birdland, the Village Vanguard, and Carnegie Hall. She also performed at various jazz festivals and on jazz cruises throughout the US. "Sweet and Funky", Akiko's first release in the US and Canada and her second in Japan, has been receiving rave reviews. It has reached #13 on the jazz radio charts and received a four-star review and one of the "Best CD’s of 2007" from Downbeat magazine. Akiko received Swing Journal Magazine’s New Star Award, a first for an organist.

contact:	akikojazz@gmail.com
homepage:	www.akikojazz.com
	myspace.com/akikotsuruga
	Click on the logo to see Akiko's tour dates.

Harlem Dreams M & I Jazz MYCJ 30264 recorded December 2003 in New York City/USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond XK-3 organ Frank Wess, tenor sax, flute Satoshi Inoue, guitar Grady Tate, drums
Sweet And Funky M & I Jazz MYCJ 30405 recorded August 2006 in USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Eric Johnson, guitar Vince Ector, drums Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, percussion
St. Louis Blues Mojo Records XQCM-1302 recorded 2007 in USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Houston Person, tenor sax Bernard Purdie, drums Eric Johnson, guitar Vince Ector, drums
Oriental Express Showplace Records recorded April 2008 in USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Jerry Weldon, tenor sax Rudy Petschauer, drums Eric Johnson, guitar Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, percussion
NYC Serenade Mojo Records XQCM-1313 recorded May/June 2008 in New York City/USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Wayne Escoffery, tenor sax Jimmy Cobb, drums Eric Johnson, guitar
Sakura no label recorded April 2011 in Dover. NJ/USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Jerry Weldon, tenor sax Joe Magnarelli, trumpet, flugelhorn Bob deVos, guitar Rudy Petschauer, drums
Commencement AT Records recorded March 2014 in Paramus, NJ/USA	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Jeff Hamilton, drums John Hart, guitar
Pelham Parkway no label recorded 2016 in USA	Kevin Golden, guitar Akiko Tsuruga, organ Peter Grant, drums
So Cute, So Bad no label recorded January 2017 in San Pedro, CA/USA	Akiko Tsuruga, organ Graham Dechter, guitar Jeff Hamilton, drums
Equal Time Capri Records 74160	Akiko Tsuruga, organ Graham Dechter, guitar Jeff Hamilton, drums
Staycation SteepleChase 5C6943	Ralph Lalama, tenor sax Joe Magnarelli, trumpet Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 Clifford Barbaro, drums Nicole Pasternak Lalama, vocals
New York Osaka Junction SteepleChase SCCD 31939	Joe Magnarelli, trumpet, flugelhorn Gary Smulyan, baritone sax Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Rudy Royston, drums
Beyond Nostalgia SteepleChase SCCD 31956 recorded February 2023	Akiko Tsuruga, Hammond B-3 organ Jerry Weldon, tenor sax Joe Magnarelli, trumpet Ed Cherry, guitar Byron Landham, drums

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