Rikuhashi Eiko

iEiko Rikuhashi was born in Osaka, Japan and began playing piano at the age of eight years old. With the assistance of her music teacher, she studied both classical and popular music and in 1999 won her first piano competition. As she became a more experienced musician , Eiko decided to study her insutrument on a more formal level by enrolling at the AN Music School in Kyoto, Japan. While attending school, Eiko began performing at the local venues and composing her own orihinal works. Such was her love and devotion to music that she decided to leave her native home in Japan and moved to New York City so that she could gain more experience at working with other artists. Eiko also wanted to hone her skills at performing as both a side person as well as leader of her own group.

Since her arrival in New York City, Eiko has worked with jazz luminaries such as pianist Anthony Wonsey (Elvin Jones, Marlena Shaw, Nicholas Payton), bassist Dmitri Kolesnik (Lenny White , Eric Alexander , Harold Mabern) and saxophonist Keith Loftis (Ray Charles, Dave Koz, Mary J , Blige). She has also perfomed at venues such as Tomi Jazz, ,Miles Cafe, Rue B, The blue Owl, Dean Street Cafe, Shrine and many other well known jazz clubs in the New York metropolitan area.

http://www.pianoeikorikuhashi.com/