New Album Recording Session

I've just finished recording with Jeff Hamilton and John Hart for my new album. I had a wonderful time to make  music with them.

I'll announce more details on this blog. Thank you for your support!

March Newsletter

Dear friends and fans,
I'm so happy to announce my upcoming performances. I hope to see you all soon!


Monday, March,3rd, 10th, 24th and 31st  7-10PM

Kotobuki Restaurant/Akiko Tsuruga Trio

3/3 - Dmitry Baevsky-as, Shinnosuke Takahashi-ds, Akiko-hammond sk2

3/10 - Avi Rothbard-guitar, Shinnosuke Takahashi-ds, Akiko-hammond sk2

3/24 - Ron Affif-guitar, Joe Strasser-drums, Akiko-Hammond sk2

3/31 - Jerry Weldon - tenor sax, Dwayne Cook Broadneck -drums, Akiko -Hammond sk2


56 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003 
Tel: 212-353-5088

http://www.kotobukinewyork.com/




Saturday, March 1st, 10:30-2:30AM

Garage/Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Avi Rothbard -guitar, Aaron Kimmel -drums, Akiko -organ

99 Seventh Ave South, NYC 10014 

http://www.garagerest.com/


Sunday, March 2nd, 8:00 & 10:30PM

Blue Note NY/Lou Donaldson Quartet
131 West 3rd Street, NYC 10012
 Phone:(212) 475-8592
http://www.bluenote.net/


Thursday, March 6th, 8-11PM

Makeda/Akiko Tsuruga Quartet
Joe Magnarelli-tp, Myron Walden-ts,
Kevin Kanner -drums, Akiko -hammond sk2 organ

338 George St, New Brunswich, NJ 08901

http://www.nbjp.org/

Sunday, March 9th, 6:15 & 8:00PM
PJS Jazz Society@The First Presbyterian Church/ Akiko Tsuruga Quintet
Joe Magnarelli-tp, Myron Walden-ts, Bob DeVos-guitar, McClenty Hunter-drums, Akiko-organ
199 North Columbus Ave  Mout Vernon  NY
http://pjsjazz.org/

Monday, March 9th, 8:45-11:00AM
The Stone Mill @ New York Botanical Garden, Bronx NY/Akiko Tsuruga Trio
Joe Magnarelli-tp, Rudy Petschauer-ds, Akiko-organ

Sunday, March 16th & Monday, March 17th
Akiko's new album recording with Jeff Hamilton and John Hart

Saturday, March 22nd,  8-11PM
Londel's/Towner Galaher Trio
139th Street & 8th Ave, Harlem, NY

Thursday, March 27th, 7-10PM
Liberty House Restaurant/Kelsey Merrow Group
76 Audrey Zapp Dr; Jersey City; NJ 07305


Friday, March 28th,  9:30PM- 2:30AM

Showman's/Akiko Tsuruga Quartet
Andrew Beals-as, Rudy Petschauer-ds,
Chriss Morrison-guitar, Akiko-hammond b3 organ

375 West 125th Street, NYC 10027

Sunday, March 30th, 8PM 
Bryac Restaurant/ Andrew Beals Quartet
Andrew Beals-as, Rudy Petschauer-ds,
Chriss Morrison-guitar, Akiko-hammond b3 organ

74 Farifield Avenue; Bridgeport; CT 06605
http://www.bryac.biz/


Upcoming Performances
Every Monday, 7-10PM
Kotobuki Restaurant/Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Thursday, April 3rd, 7:30PM
Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside/Lou Donaldson Quartet

Friday, April 4th, 10:30PM-2:30AM
Garage/Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Saturday, April 12th, 7-10PM
Memorial Hall, Medford Lakes, NJ/Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Friday, April 18th,
Lou Donaldson Quartet

Friday, May 2nd,
Villa Rome/Akiko Tsuruga Quartet

Friday, May 16th,
 A PLACE FOR JAZZ, WHISPERDOME, NY/Lou Donaldson Quartet

May 27-June 2nd
Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, Israel & Ronnie Scotts, London UK/Lou Donaldson Quartet


ORGAN, PIANO LESSONS

If you are interested in taking a lesson, please send an email to akikojazz@gmail.com.
Also Skype lessons are available.




For more information, please visit me at www.akikojazz.com 
and my facebook page.  www.facebook.com/akikojazzpage



Thank you for your support!

Love,

Akiko

Interviewed by Japanese Newspaper "NY Japion"

NY Japion Website

Sound of My Life

Akiko Tsuruga (Hammond Organist)
By Kasumi Abe

"There is no limit in combining notes. This instrument can reflect my honest feelings." Akiko Tsuruga expresses about the charm of a Hammond organ. Right hand for melody line, and left for base. The popped sounds spread out warmly from her fingers conducting on the keyboards.

                 

What changed my life

Akiko started playing electric organ at the age of 3. After her graduation from a music college, she encountered a Hammond organ. "There was a place called Don Shop in Osaka, where musicians were hanging out. I used to play there, as many talents stopped by after their gigs at Blue Note across the street meanwhile. One day, I played this organ. I was feeling like it was just a perfect fit to my hands." She later met her mentor, Dr. Lonnie Smith there.

"When I followed an advise of a drummer, Grady Tate, one time, something new happened in my play." It was Grady who encouraged Akiko to make a musical career in NYC.

Although originally planned only for a year, it has actually turned out to be getting along in the city for almost thirteen years. She had a great start with gaining a regular stage at the old-time famous jazz club, Showman's, within 4 months since her arrival in NY. However, the competitive world gradually put pressure on her at the same time.

Joy after the sand storm

"My mind was not peaceful as I cheered myself up to take up my stand among other musicians." It was those time when she heard the owner of Showman's saying that she had been convincing herself all right if she could make one customer out of ten understood in her business. That cleared her up, and she got to be able to think how to focus on her music.

"I'm enjoying now," said Akiko. "But, that sand storm period brought me a necessary opportunity to look into myself." 

"Show your life to the music." This is Dr. Lonnie Smith's words to Akiko. "Those who are in the lead need to try hard and should be strong. I'd like to be such a player someday."

She glows with joy acquired through the various experiences as she plays the organ.  

  Translated by Mihoko Naito