Yoshiko Kishino
Born in Tokyo, Yoshiko Kishino studied classical music at Toho Gakuen School of Music. After graduation, she pursued a new musical direction in jazz, making her world debut in 1995 with the album "Fairy Tale" on the prestigious GRP label—becoming the first Japanese artist to do so as an international act. Since then, she has released albums annually. In August 2015, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her CD debut with the release of her 19th album "Anthology - 20th Anniversary-" on Universal Music. In 2018, she followed up with her 20th album, "nuage." Over the course of her 20 releases, she has received the Swing Journal Gold Disc Award four times. In addition to her performances in Japan, Kishino has also performed in New York, Sweden, Milan, and Paris, solidifying her reputation as a top-tier artist both in popularity and artistry. Her musical activities span a wide range: solo piano, jazz trio, and string ensembles, as well as collaborations with artists such as akiko, Dozan Fujiwara, Emiko Shiratori, Mika Agematsu, and Mariko Senju. She is also active in composing and performing music for films and TV commercials, showcasing her broad musical versatility. Kishino's elegant and refined piano style transcends jazz, establishing a unique musical identity that has earned her a solid reputation as one of the most respected and popular pianists in Japan.