Toshiko Akiyoshi

Japanese American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, band master

Born: 12 December 1929
Liaoyang
Country: People's Republic of China
Active: 1946–
Record labels: Columbia Records, Verve Records, Concord Records
Discography: 29 albums

Biography

Toshiko Akiyoshi is a jazz musician who plays piano. Toshiko Akiyoshi was born on 12 December 1929 in Liaoyang. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Columbia Records, Verve Records and Concord Records. The discography here lists 29 albums, from “Toshiko’s Piano” (1954) to “Toshiko’s Blues · Quartet & Trios 1953–1958” (2023). Honours include Fumio Nanri Award (1976), Medal with Purple Ribbon (1997) and NEA Jazz Masters.

Toshiko Akiyoshi (秋吉敏子 or 穐吉敏子, Akiyoshi Toshiko; born 12 December 1929) is a Japanese jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Akiyoshi received fourteen Grammy Award nominations and was the first woman to win Best Arranger and Composer awards in Down Beat magazine's annual Readers' Poll. In 1984, she was the subject of the documentary Jazz Is My Native Language. In 1996, she published her autobiography, Life with Jazz, and in 2007 she was named an NEA Jazz Master by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Toshiko’s Piano 1954 · Norgran Records Her Trio Her Quartet 1956 · Storyville Toshiko & Leon Sash at Newport 1958 · Live · Columbia Toshiko Meets Her Old Pals 1974 · KING Finesse 1978 · Concord Jazz Notorious Tourist From The East 1980 · Inner City Records Toshiko‐Mariano Quartet (Live at Birdland) 1991 · Live · Fresh Sound Records Interlude 1992 · Concord Jazz Remembering Bud: Cleopatra's Dream 1992 · Evidence Dig 1993 · Ninety‐One Desert Lady / Fantasy 1994 · Columbia Night and Dream 1994 · Ninety‐One Maybeck Recital Hall Series, Volume Thirty-Six 1995 · Live In Japan 1996 · EXPRESS With Brazilian Friends - "Yes, I Have No 4Beat Today" 1997 · Ninety‐One Sketches of Japan 1999 · Ninety‐One The Many Sides of Toshiko 1999 · Verve Music Group Toshiko Plays Toshiko 1999 Hope 2006 · CROWN Toshiko Mariano Quartet 2006 · Candid Let Freedom Swing 2007 · Hänssler Classic Solo Live 2004 2009 · Live · Studio Songs Classic Encounters 2010 · Studio Songs Toshiko & Modern Jazz 2010 · Columbia Music Entertainment Jazz Conversations (The Other Side of Monday Michiru) 2016 · Welcome Music Porgy and Bess 2016 · Studio Songs Early Numbers 2021 · Whispering Grass Toshiko’s Blues · Quartet & Trios 1953–1958 2023 · Fresh Sound Records farewell

Also plays on

Albums where Toshiko Akiyoshi is credited as a sideman

1962	Town Hall Concert — Charles Mingus	piano
1963	The Country & Western Sound of Jazz Pianos — Steve Kuhn & Toshiko Akiyoshi	celesta, piano

Awards

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does Toshiko Akiyoshi play?

Toshiko Akiyoshi is known for playing piano.

When and where was Toshiko Akiyoshi born?

Toshiko Akiyoshi was born 12 December 1929 in Liaoyang.

What are Toshiko Akiyoshi's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Toshiko’s Piano (1954), Her Trio Her Quartet (1956), Toshiko & Leon Sash at Newport (1958), Toshiko Meets Her Old Pals (1974) and Finesse (1978).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.