Artist: Akiko

Japanese jazz singer. Born December 14, 1976 in Urawa City, Saitama Prefecture (now Saitama City). In 2001, she became the first Japanese jazz singer to sign a contract with the renowned jazz label Verve Records.In 2001, she recorded her first album, "Girl Talk," in France with the renowned French producer Henri Renaud, and released it in June of the same year.Known not only for his repertoire of over 500 standard jazz songs, but also for his ability to adapt flexibly to various genres, he constantly creates new styles with each album.In addition to Japan, they have also recorded in Paris, London, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Oslo, and other cities.On previous albums, she has collaborated with producers such as Swing Out Sister, Sunaga Tatsuo, Konishi Yasuharu (Pizzicato Five), and Bugge Wesseltoft (Jazzland).At the same time, he has participated as a guest vocalist in works by artists across genres, including [re:jazz], Yoshizawa Hajime, Studio Apartment, and Quasimode.Through numerous collaborations, he has deepened his connections with artists, musicians, and producers from a variety of genres.In 2009, he released a tribute album to London Nite, a famous Tokyo rock party that he had loved since his teenage years.He invited Noriaki Onuki, who worked on "London Night," to advise him on the album, and through the album he showed that the roots of his music are in rock, not jazz.Not only is he a singer, but he is also highly regarded for his skills as a producer, having written lyrics, composed music, arranged music, and directed the artwork for all of the album's tracks.