 |
Hiroshi
Yamazaki
Jazz Pianist
Hiroshi Yamazaki began playing piano at the age of
seven in Osaka, Japan. He continued his study of
classical piano at the Osaka College of Music.
During his college years Hiroshi was exposed to a
variety of jazz recordings, and his focus quickly
shifted to jazz piano. At age 22, he gave his first
professional jazz performance, leading a trio at
S.A.B. Hall in Osaka.
Shortly after completing his studies, Hiroshi moved
to New York City, a place where he could continue to
grow as a musician and performer. There he began to
forge his own voice, not only as an improviser, but
also as a composer and arranger. His New York
performance debut took place in 1988 at the Jazz
Center of New York, which featured Paul West on bass
and Leroy Williams on drums. Other performances
followed, with Hiroshi leading groups at some of the
most popular jazz venue in New York City, including
the Village Gate, Birdland, and the Bluenote. He
shared the stage with some of New York's finest
players, including Eric Alexander, Kenny Washington,
Lonnie Plaxico and Vernell Fornier. He made his
first recording in 1996 with bassist Ron Carter and
drummer Lewis Nash; a second recording followed in
2000.
Hiroshi joined the Conservatory faculty in 2001. "As
a teacher, I try to hand down the knowledge I have
gained from the experience of playing with great
jazz musicians. In jazz, the method of study music
involves not only learning the musical score, but
feeling it with the body and soul." Hiroshi
continues to perform in the New York area and in
Japan, where he has made two recent tours. He is a
sideman with the Carmen Leggio Quartet and Jan Leder
Quartet, and continues to lead his own groups in New
York City and the greater metropolitan area. His
skills as an accompanist and arranger are much
sought after as well.
|