Akiko Tsuruga, a Hammond organist from Japan, has been a major figure in New York’s jazz scene since 2001. The talented young organist started playing at age three. She began her career in jazz shortly after graduating from Osaka College of Music. She was able to perform with many world-famous jazz musicians, including Jeff “Tain”, Watts, Grady Tate and Roy Hargrove while she lived in Osaka. Grady Tate was the most influential person in her decision to be a professional musician. Dr. Lonnie Smith Akiko is her mentor and the musician she most admires. Grady was also a performer on her Japanese debut album, and convinced Akiko to move to the United States. Akiko made her mark quickly after landing in New York City, the epicenter of jazz. Her fellow musicians embraced her and she was recognized as one the best organ players in the area. Akiko was a regular at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola Jazz at Lincoln Center and a crowd favorite. She has also headlined numerous well-known jazz venues such as Blue Note in Chicago, Birdland and Smoke, Green Mill in Chicago and Yoshi’s Oakland, CA. Akiko’s two first US albums were released on 18th
