Ayako Shirasaki Pianist Jazz Piano

Recognized in her native Japan as a jazz prodigy (in the 5th grade she was already transcribing Bud Powell solos), Ayako Shirasaki 白崎彩子 while yet a pre-teen won many prizes including the Grand Prize at the Asakusa Jazz Competition. Her professional career began at the tender age of twelve when she began regular appearances at the J jazz club in Tokyo. Her extraordinary talent was soon recognized, and she was featured in Swing Journal. In 1997 Ayako moved to New York City where she currently resides. Her talent won her a scholarship in the masters program at the Manhattan School of Music where she studied performance with such noted teachers as Kenny Barron and Ted Rosenthal and composition with Mike Abene. www.janmatthies.com/ayako_shirasaki_en www.ayakoshirasaki.com www.myspace.com/ayakojazz