The featured "Guest" for August is Keiko Takaoka. She is an authentic Jazz singer who sings standard Jazz vocals that earns praise from other professional musicians. Her songs are sure to make you forget the hot and muggy summer days around the Bon period by the old Japanese calendar.

She aspired to become a musical star, and took various lessons while attending Shoei Girls' School, but after graduating from their high school, she started working as a club singer to pay for her lessons, which led her to her present career. Soon after starting out, she met Yuzuru Sera, the renowned Jazz pianist, who gave her lessons in Jazz vocals, and she put a period to her acting aspirations.
Later, she took lessons from her present instructor, Yausushi Sawada (piano vocal). Her debut into the Jazz vocal world was in 1975 as the singer with the Kazuo Yagi Trio. She passed the "NHK Popular Music Audition" in 1974 accompanied by the Yuzuru Sera Trio.
She also teaches at the Yasushi Sawada Vocal School, and instructs the aspiring younger generation.

Presenting Keiko Takaoka
On August 19th (Tue)

Please come enjoy, the charge is regular charge only.
Owner Mitsuo Nakata


Do you know Keiko Takaoka?

The Webmaster's instructor, Yasushi Sawada always tells me.
"Ms. Keiko really is GREAT"
He is truly impressed by her rhythm and clever adlibbing. He isn't thinking of himself.

Keiko's married to that famous drummer, "Shimikin", Keiichi Shimizu. They often appeared together at her live shows until some years ago. These days, we are told that he needs a crutch to assist his walking, and cannot play the drums. What a pity.

Web sites introducing Keiko Takaoka

Shakushigakudo's Story of Jazz site: @http://www.ozsons.com/SawadaYasushi/