Aki Takase

Japanese pianist and composer Aki Takase is among the most versatile figures in contemporary jazz. Following her emergence in the 1970s, Takase performed with such forward-thinking artists as Lester Bowie, Berlin Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, John Zorn, and many more, including dates with her husband, pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach. Her debut album, As Time Goes By, appeared to acclaim in 1979. Further, she is celebrated for standout solo outings like 1990's Shima Shoka, 2001's Le Cahier Du Bal, 2006's Plays Fats Waller, and 2019's Hokusai. Her ensembles and recorded colla...