Akiko's blog

Happy New Year

2012-01-06T19:15:00.000-05:00

There are so many exciting things happening this year, I can't wait to share it all with you.
My new album "SAKURA" will be come out on Feb 14th (Valentines Day)
More informasion: visit www.akikojazz.com
I am glad to shear my January performances schedule. Hope to see you soon!

Saturday January 7,2012, 10:30PM-2:30AM
Garage
Akiko Tsuruga Trio
Jerry Weldon-tenor sax
Fukushi Tainaks-drums
Rudy Petshauer-drums
Akiko-organ
No cover/No minimum
99 Seventh Avenue South, New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 645-0600
http://www.garagerest.com

Sunday, January 8, 2012, 6:15PM-9:00PM
First Presbyterian Church
Akiko Tsuruga Quintet
Jerry Weldon-tenor sax, Joe Magnarelli-tp,
Bob DeVos-guitar, Rudy Petschauer-drums, Akiko-organ,
199 Columbus AVE, Mount Vernon, NY
http://www.pjsjazz.org/

Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6:00PM-11:00PM
Blue Water Grill
Diego Voglino Trio
31 Union Square West New York, NY 10003-3203
Tel: (212) 675-9500
http://www.bluewatergrillnyc.com/

Saturday, January 14, 2012 6:00 PM until 12 Midnight
CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION
Madam Pat Tandy & NU-Taste Jazz Female Ensemble
35 Orange Ave., (Cor. of Huron Ave.) Clifton, NJ
Tickets $35 Advance ~ $40 at the door
Info Contact: Mr. Shabazz ~ 973-478-4124
FEATURING:
Keith Lee & The Ultra Band ~ Nutley High School Jazz Lab & Introducing Sharif Norris ~ ~ Doo Whop Quiet Storm (from Philadelphia) ~ Radam Schwartz with Conspiracy for Positivity ~ Madam Pat Tandy & NU-Taste Jazz Female Ensemble ~ Jazzy Bear & Friends.

Thursday, January 19 - Sunday, January 22, 2012
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Jazz Standard
Lou Donaldson Quartet
Lou Donaldson-alto sax, vocal,
Randy Johnston-guitar,
McClenty Hunter – drums,
Akiko-hammond b3 organ
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-576-2252
http://jazzstandard.net/

What's New
Akiko's website: www.akikojazz.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Akiko-Tsuruga/332471836763749

Akiko Trio play "Sweet Yam Potato"

2011-10-10T19:22:00.002-04:00

Pine Grill Reunion

2011-08-11T01:38:00.002-04:00

Summer NAMM 2011

2011-07-28T00:24:00.003-04:00

2011-07-28T00:17:00.001-04:00

DownBeat Magazine 59th Annual Critics Poll

2011-07-04T09:00:00.003-04:00

Thank you for your support!!!

Lou Donaldson Quartet at Birdland

2011-07-04T08:53:00.007-04:00

From New York Times

Akiko Tsuruga in the Doodlin'Lounge

2011-05-14T19:38:00.000-04:00

Akiko Tsuruga in the Doodlin'Lounge

Aligator Bogaloo

2011-01-14T00:47:00.000-05:00

Showman's on the radio

2010-12-22T22:48:00.000-05:00

December and January Schedule

2009-12-10T15:15:00.001-05:00

Hi, everyone.
I hope all are well with you.
I am doing very well and started to pack up my suite case for my
Chicago trip of the next week.
YES. I will be performing in perhaps one of the most well-known jazz
club in the nation (if there is such a list!),
the one and only GREEN MILL JAZZ CLUB in Windy City for the first time!!

BUT WAIT!

Before I go off to Chicago, I have New York Local gigs to my friends
in New York,
and January's West Coast Tour to the friends in the West.

Here is my December and January schedule.
Write them down to your agenda or print it out and stick on your fridge... etc.
I really hope that I can see you at my gig!

[2009 NEW YORK SCHEDULE]

I will be at Showmans on Friday and Saturday of this weekend.
Friday is with Lou Donaldson Quartet, and Saturday is with
Rudy Petschauer Quartet.

Friday, December 11
10:00 PM &12:00AM (2 Sets)
Lou Donaldson Quartet

Lou Donaldson-alto sax & vocal
Fukushi Tainaka-drums
Akiko Tsuruga-hammond B3 Organ
TBA-guitar

Showmans
375 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-864-8941
$30

*****
Saturday, December 12
3:00PM - 7:00 PM (3 Sets)
Akiko Tsuruga Quartet

Akiko Tsuruga - Organ
Jerry Weldon - tenor sax
Andrew Beals - atlo sax
Rudy Petschauer - drums

Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic Street, Tranton, NJ 08618

*****
Saturday, December 12
9:00PM - 2:30 AM (3 Sets)
Rudy Petschauer Quartet

Rudy Petschauer - drums
Jerry Weldon - tenor sax
Andrew Beals - atlo sax
Akiko Tsuruga-hammond B3 organ

Showmans
375 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
Tel: 212-864-8941
$5, 2 drink minimum

*****

Saturday, December 26
10:45PM - 2:45 AM (4 Sets)
Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Jerry Weldon - tenor sax
Rudy Petschauer - drums
Akiko Tsuruga - organ

Garage
99 Seventh Ave South, New York, NY 10014
http://www.garagerest.com/

[CHICAGO 2 DAYS]

Akiko's Chicago Debut as the leader.
Please spread the words to your friends in Chicago area!

Friday, December 18

9:00PM - 1:00 AM (3 Sets)
Saturday, December 19

8:00PM - 12:00 AM

Akiko Tsuruga Organ Trio

Andy Brown -guitar
Rudy Petschauer - drums
Akiko Tsuruga -hammond B3 organ

Green Mill Jazz Club
4802 N. Broadway Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Tel: 773-878-5552
http://www.greenmilljazz.com/
$12

[AKIKO TSURUGA WEST COAST TOUR - Winter 2010]

I will be back in West Coast in January.
I even will visit Canada, my friends!
It's not an everyday thing. Please come out and support us!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010
8:00 PM & 9:30 PM (2 Sets)
Akiko Tsuruga Trio

Jerry Weldon - tenor sax
Rudy Petschauer - drums
Akiko Tsuruga-hammond B3 organ

Yoshi's
510 Embarcadero West, Oakland, California 94607
http://www.yoshis.com/oakland/jazzclub

*****
Friday, January 15

Saturday, January 16
8:30PM & 10:15 PM (2 Sets)

Sunday, January 17
7:30PM & 9:00 PM (2 Sets)
Rudy Petschauer Trio

Rudy Petschauer - drums
Jerry Weldon - tenor sax
Akiko Tsuruga-hammond B3 Organ
The Celler
3611 Broadway West, Vancouver, British Columbia BCV 6R2B8
http://cellarjazz.com/

Down Beat Magazin "57th Annual Critics Pall"

2009-07-13T23:22:00.001-04:00

Down Beat Magazin "57th Annual Critics Pall" I placed number 7 of Organist rising star!!!(number 10 last year)

Harlem International Jazz Festival

2009-07-12T22:01:00.003-04:00

The Star-Ledger

2009-07-10T22:27:00.002-04:00

The Star-Ledger

Thursday July 09, 2009, 2:38 PM

Oriental Express

Akiko Tsuruga

(18th and Vine)

"Oriental Express," Akiko Tsuruga moves from slow and steamy to straight swing to down-home funk.

Manchester, N.J., resident Jack Kreisberg has produced so many albums highlighting Garden State jazz musicians for Portland, Ore.'s 18th and Vine label, that one could be forgiven for believing the company was Jersey-based.

Keeping up with his Jersey thrust, Kreisberg spotlights the Patterson-based organist Akiko Tsuruga on one of two recent productions. The other showcases the veteran Detroit-bred drum master Louis Hayes.

On "Oriental Express," Tsuruga investigates a banquet of moods -- from slow and steamy to straight swing to down-home funk -- with verve, feeling and persuasion. Sharing her affinities in this solidly exploited conceit are four top-end jazzmen, leaders all: guitarist Eric Johnson, tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon, drummer Rudy Petschauer and congero Chembo Corniel.

Built on enticing riffs, "J's Groove" is an ear-friendly speeder over "rhythm changes." Tsuruga reveals her capacity to play smartly, and with drive and invention. The hearty-toned Weldon scores with characteristically engaging thoughts; Johnson's ringing tones are also impressive. Petschauer adds feisty time.

Petschauer's swaggering back-beat underpins the title track, a head-shaking blues with grit and groove from all hands. "Dreamsville" has a luxuriant, emotive theme, and felicitous statements from Johnson and Tsuruga. "The Sidewinder," a classic foot-tapper, showcases the team's blues acumen. "Frim Fram Sauce" is an old- school swinger, "Bright Eyes" a dancing waltz, "Killing Me Softly with His Song" a robust percolator.

Hot House, Japion and NY seikatsu

2009-06-08T17:35:00.008-04:00

Swing Journal Magazine's annual reader's jazzmen pole

2009-04-28T00:20:00.003-04:00

I was placed in runner-up for Swing Journal Magazine's annual reader's jazzmen pole in "other instrument" categories. In this category, there are 8 organ players were ranked, and I was the number one if they had "organ" category (the first place was violin player… I think). I am very grateful and honored. To me, it is almost the same impact I got when I took a New Star award from Swing Journal in few years ago. My presence in Japan is getting stronger in Japanese jazz scene.

Lou Donaldson Quartet at the Dakota

2008-09-07T23:50:00.001-04:00

Great Jazz at the Great Hills

2008-09-07T23:42:00.005-04:00

Akiko Quartet played Jazzmobile's "Great Jazz at the Great Hill"

Akiko Tsuruga -hammond B3 organ
Jerry Weldon -tenor sax
Eric Johnson -guitar
Don Williams -drums

Downbeat Critics Pall

2008-07-30T00:19:00.002-04:00

Down Beat Magazin "56th Annual Critics Pall" I placed number 10 of Organist rising star.

Akiko Quartet@Priory

2008-03-18T16:17:00.003-04:00

Akiko -nord electro
Bill Easley -sax, flute
Eric Johnson -guitar
Don Williams -drums
Butch Johnson -conga

Akiko's award

2008-02-13T17:55:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,
I just got back from Japan where I received the Japanese jazz magazine Swing Journal's 2007 New Star Award. This was the first time an organist has ever won the award.
Thanks for all your support,
Akiko

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year 2008.
May much peace and joy be with you throughout the coming year!!!

Love,
Akiko

Rhythm In Every Guise: Top Ten for 2007
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review_print.php?id=27930

Belles of the B3: Scott, Tsuruga & Dennerlein

2007-12-09T11:03:00.000-05:00

Belles of the B3: Scott, Tsuruga & Dennerlein
By Elliott Simon
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=26623

During the late ‘50s, Jimmy Smith and others, using the Hammond B3 organ in trio format, developed a brand of bluesy soul-jazz that was deliciously intimate yet sonically expansive. These three international belles of the B3 individually broaden the classic trio in ways that maintain their instrument’s centrality while evolving the genre.

Born in Newark, NJ where she learned to play in her father’s church, for the last four decades Rhoda Scott has lived in Paris, but her roots are much in evidence on From C to Shining C. The twin tenors of Plas Johnson and Red Holloway gel, playing off each other and Scott’s organ to add a lot of swing to Scott’s approach. Holloway is no stranger to the B3 and played on some classic sides with Brother Jack McDuff. He also has an uncanny ability to bring it to another level with a fellow saxman as he did for many years with Sonny Stitt. Not that much of that is needed in the case of Plas Johnson whose round tone on Henry Mancini’s “Theme from the Pink Panther” is arguably the most heard sax line of all time. Both these players bring plenty of R&B experience to make the session cook. Guitarist Carl Lockett deserves special mention as his Chicago Blues-style guitar is reminiscent of Michael Bloomfield as he augments and solos in a gorgeously clean and precise manner. Drummer Lucien Dobat is an integral part of Scott’s style that has her barefootin’ across the pedals to serve as a true bassist, freeing her up to comp and solo these originals and standards into a gospel-inspired delight.

Among these three releases, the truest to the Smith tradition is from relative newcomer Akiko Tsuruga. Originally from Japan, she has her own trio that includes guitarist Eric Johnson and drummer Vince Ector. Tsuruga is also a sideperson with drummer/vocalist Grady Tate and in both these guises has been proffering an especially delectable B3 sound that is light on the grease but heavy on the funk. For Sweet and Funky, conguero/percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel adds just a touch of Latin spice to this tight mix on tunes like the breezily swinging “Sweet and Lovely” while Johnson’s guitar touch evinces purity, turning B3 standard “Stormy Weather” into a dreamy blues. The quartet shines on well-known tunes like “Saving All My Love For You” and “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” where smooth Latin percussion meets B3 trio for a musical concoction that goes down easy. Although an especially sugary “Where is the Love” may be too sweet for some, there is plenty of funk throughout, especially on the originals “Mushi-Mushi” and “Booga-Lou”.

German organist Barbara Dennerlein has had a distinguished career successfully taking her B3 to places where it was previously unwelcome. Her compositions and style have braved a path for her instrument that doesn’t follow the norm. As such, Change of Pace is much more than its title implies and is as much kin to Gershwin as it is to organist Keith Emerson’s more adventurous works with The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. That said, Dennerlein’s awesome technique and compositional skills do break new musical ground as she exquisitely blends her B3 trio, which includes saxophonist Peter Lehel and drummer/percussionist Daniel Messina, into the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate conducted by Bernd Ruf. The resultant sound, due in some part to her expert use of synthesizers, thrills as only a musical aggregation of this magnitude could. The strings are glorious, the brass voicings superb and the winds are joyous as Dennerlein’s organ meets the philharmonic as equal partner. Recorded live, five extended compositions artfully combine classical, jazz and rock using intricate tempos, quick changes, mood shifts and more than a hint of exoticism to present rhapsodic stylistic wholes. This is a major release by one of the B3’s foremost proponents.

Tracks and Personnel

From C to Shining C

Tracks: Next Time You See Me; Blues Alley; Monday Monday; Oh Danny Boy/Lift Every Voice; Waitin' For The Plane; From C to Shining C; Reveries; Tico Tico; Hit The Road Jack.

Personnel: Rhoda Scott: Hammond B3 organ; Plas Johnson: tenor saxophone; Red Holloway: tenor saxophone; Carl Lockett: guitar; Lucien Dobat: drums.

Sweet and Funky

Tracks: Meanie Queenie; DLG; Sweet and Lovely; Stormy Weather; Saving All My Love For You; Where is the Love; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Mushi- Mushi; Booga Lou; Broadway.

Personnel: Akiko Tsuruga: Hammond B3 Organ; Eric Johnson: guitar; Vince Ector: drums; Wilson “Chembo” Corniel: percussion.

Change of Pace

Tracks: Longing; A Summer Day; Pendel der Zeit; Change Of Pace; The Long Way Blues.

Personnel: Barbara Dennerlein: Hammond B3 Organ, footpedals, synthesizers; Peter Lehel: tenor and soprano saxophone; Donald Messina: drums, percussion; Bernd Ruf: conductor Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.

2007-10-31T00:39:00.000-04:00

Downbeat November 2007
Akiko Tsuruga “Sweet and Funky”
By Philip Booth

Is Akiko Tsuruga’s success the sign of an ever shrinking global music community or another case of an outsider’s insights giving new life to a still-vital old genre, one too often taken for granted? How about this : Tsuruga, a New Yorker who relocated there six years ago from Osaka, Japan, uses powerhouse chops, good taste, and impeccable sense of swing and extra large ears to remind us of everything we always loves about the organ-trio tradition.
Sweet and Funky comes off llike a string of inspired blowing sessions, with the Hammond B-3 organist demonstrating why we should believe the hype about her playing and giving plenty of room to her sidemen- guitarist Eric Johnson, drummer Vince Ector and on some tracks, percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel. She also possesses skills as a composer, turning in a speedy bop hear on the blues tune “Meanie Queenie”, influenced by Brother Jack McDuff (Johnson’s employed in the ‘70’s), and toasting another B-3 great, Dr. Lonnie Smith, on “DLG”, a romper-stomper livened with sudden stops.
Tsuruga demonstrates a knack for rearranging familiar pieces. Johnson’s sis-string weeps and moans before turning things over to the organist for a roaring solo on “Stormy Weather,” variously moody and demonstrative in all the right places. A soul=deep “Saving All My Love For You” opens with an intro suggesting “killer Joe” while organ and guitar share bits of the melody on “Where Is The Love.” “Polka Dots And Moonbeams” is reborn as a bossa nova. An uptempo “Broadway” will send listeners home smiling, a pleasantly warm nightcap for one of the year’s sleeper discs.

Sweet and Funky Review

2007-08-14T12:38:00.000-04:00

Lou Donaldson Quartet @ Jazz Mobile

2007-08-09T15:11:00.000-04:00

08/07/2007
Lou Donaldson Quartet @ Jazz Mobile
135th Street Between Adam Clayton Blvd & Frederick Douglass Blvd
Lou -sax&sing, Eric Johnson -guitar, Vince Ector -drums, Akiko -organ