TOMOKO OHNO

Welcome !

Tomoko Ohno pianist

“BUSY BIRD” Tomoko Ohno This album, Busy Bird, is a collection of eight original compositions, reflecting personal landscapes from around the world. I hope you enjoy it ! ⸻ BUSY BIRD Near my home in Tenafly, New Jersey, there is a tree filled with birds in the evening. When I think of Tokyo, I sometimes envy them for being able to travel so freely. I wrote this song inspired by Lazy Bird by John Coltrane. ⸻ GRANADA I have long been a fan of flamenco. This city has a rich and complex history that is deeply reflected in its culture. I wrote this song after visiting the Alhambra in Granada. ⸻ TOTOWA Totowa, New Jersey, is the first place I lived in the United States. The name “Totowa” comes from the Lenape (Delaware) people and is believed to mean “falling water,” referring to nearby waterfalls such as the Passaic Falls. I once dreamed of meeting a Lenape tribal leader. When that dream did not come true, I wrote this song instead. ⸻ NAGARA Nagara is a place in Gifu, Japan, where my parents are from. There is a castle atop a mountain where a shogun once lived. From the castle, you can look out over the Nagara River. ⸻ SESAME SAMBAThe late Brazilian composer and trumpet player Claudio Roditi loved Japanese sesame dressing, and I used to bring bottles from Japan for him. Japanese sesame dressing is typically made from roasted seeds, and I imagined the sound of sesame popping in a pan, along with his joyful reaction. ⸻ NEOI wrote this song after a friend lost his cat, Neo. ⸻ RUDRAI used to live in Teaneck, New Jersey, where there is an Indian restaurant called Rudra. The owner was born on an island off the east coast of Africa to an Indian family, moved to Israel at 18 to experience another world, and later settled in the United States. This song is dedicated to people in Teaneck with stories like his. ⸻ THE PILOTThis song is dedicated to bassist Jay Leonhart, who was once a pilot. The ascending and descending melodies represent the feeling of flight.

Tomoko Ohno, born in Tokyo, began piano studies at the age of 4. As a teenager, she began playing professionally in the Tokyo area jazz scene.

After graduating from Rikkyo University in Law and Politics, Miss Ohno moved to the United States and entered the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where she studied with Harold Mabern and Rufus Reid. During this time she had the opportunity to perform with such artists as Jerome Richardson, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson and Joe Henderson. A recipient of the Student Award of Outstanding Performance and a member of Dean’s List, Miss Ohno graduated with a B.A. in Jazz Studies.

She has performed at Lincoln Center, Weill Recital, Carnegie Hall, The Blue Note, Birdland , in addition to appearing on live radio broadcasts by WBGO and WNYC, and ABC TV's Good Morning America. She has performed and/or recorded with Slide Hampton, Claudio Roditi, James Spaulding,Houston Person, James Spaulding,Rufus Reid, Scott Robinson,The John Lee Quartet, The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band and Sherrie Maricle and the Diva Jazz Orchestra, Diva Five Play, Jay Leonhart trio, Jay 7, as well as working as a side musician with such diverse musical ensembles as the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and The Spirit of Life Ensemble.

Miss Ohno also leads her own group, and has released three CDs on the Japan-based Tokuma label. In 1997 her first album, “Powder Blue” was released, and in 1999 her second album, “Affirmation” was released, followed in 2000 by the album "Natural Woman." Her album "Shadows of Spring" (recorded in Argentina) was released by MDR Records in 2005. "Tomoko Ohno in Buenos Aires" was also released by MDR Records in 2007. The duet album with legendary Argentine guitarist Ricardo Lew " From Tokio to Buenos Aires " was released in 2011 spring. The duo added the cellist Nestor Tedesco from Teatro Colon and releasedTango/Jazz album " Tres Sabores " in 2016.

Miss Ohno and bassist Jay Leonhart released their duo album " Don't You Wish !" in 2018 and Jay Leonhart Trio released their first trio album “Joy” from Sunnyside Record in 2019 with Vito Lesczak on drums.

She is also a member of Trilateral Project with Brazilian drummer Samuel Martinelli and Bassist Marcus McLaurine. Their first album with special guest Russell Malone, “ Synchronicities” was released in 2023.

Ms. Ohno was also part of the legendary bassist Bill Crow's Octet at Jazz at Lincoln Center Let Freedom Swing program in 2023.

Her latest album with JayLeonhart on bass and Dennis Mackrel will be released on May 1st, 2026.

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