PROFILE : Makoto Kuriya [Jazz pianist / Composer]

Born in Kobe, Japan, graduated from West Virginia University with a linguistics major, and later studied and performed with Nathan Davis at the University of Pittsburgh. He spent most of 80’s in the States and toured with Grammy winning Chuck Mangione in the late 80’s. Back to Japan in 1990, he produced a series of CD’s resulting in many awards, and was also much in demand for commercial recording work. In the mid 90’, he performed the soundtrack for the platinum winning “Neo Genesis Evangelion” which became a global success. Since 2001, Kuriya has been writing and producing songs for best selling pop artist, Ken Hirai. In 2002, he completed the movie soundtrack for “Nitaboh” performed by the Warsaw Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2004, Kuriya performed with his own group and with Herbie Hancock at “Tokyo Jazz”, the largest jazz festival in Japan, and in Paris for the “International Music Day” organised by UNESCO, with such greats as Billy Cobham, John Faddis, and Jonny Griffin. In 2005, the first European tour ended in great success. The year 2006 went with the second European tour including performances at “the City of London Festival”. In 2006, Kuriya also produced a Japan-Australia joint project and toured with the mixture unit in both countries. The year 2007 went with the third European tour including performances at “TanJazz” in Morocco.