Makiko Hirabayashi Explained

Makiko Hirabayashi (born 1966) is a Japanese jazz pianist based in Denmark.^[1] She started to play the piano at the age of four, and subsequently violin at nine. As a teenager, she became interested in composing film music and won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she became more involved with jazz and improvisation. After graduation, she moved to Copenhagen to start her career as a pianist and composer.^[2]

Her compositions are inspired by elements from classical music, jazz, music from the Far East and the Nordic moods.^[3]

Discography

• Makiko (Enja 2006) Makiko Hirabayashi Trio - Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Klavs Hovman (b), Marilyn Mazur (dr/perc/voc)
• Grey to Blue (Stunt 2008) Grey To Blue - Mariane Bitran (fl), Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Bob Rockwell (sax), Erik Olevik (b), Morten Lund (dr)
• Hide and Seek (Enja 2009) Makiko Hirabayashi Trio - Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Klavs Hovman (b), Marilyn Mazur (dr/perc/voc)
• Binocular (Stunt 2010) Binocular - Flemming Agerskov (tpt/flg), Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Francesco Cali (acc)
• Surely (Enja 2013) Makiko Hirabayashi Trio - Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Klavs Hovman (b), Marilyn Mazur (dr/perc/voc) ^[1]
• Gong (Gateway 2016) Bob Rockwell (sax), Makiko Hirabayashi (p)
• Where The Sea Breaks (Enja/Yellowbird 2018) - Jakob Buchanan (flg), Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Klavs Hovman (b), Marilyn Mazur (dr/perc/voc)
• Weavers (Enja/Yellowbird 2021) - Fredrik Lundin (sax), Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Thommy Andersson (b), Bjørn Heebøll (d)
• Meteora (Enja 2023) - Makiko Hirabayashi Trio - Makiko Hirabayashi (p), Klavs Hovman (b), Marilyn Mazur (dr/perc)

Notes and References

1. News: Makiko Hirabayashi: Surely (2013). Kopman. Budd. 30 October 2014. All About Jazz. 8 November 2015.
2. News: Tanz zwischen den Genres. 12 December 2011. Badische Zeitung. German. 8 November 2015.
3. News: Ich freue mich schon auf Halle. January 2009. Kulturfalter. German. 10 November 2015.