CHIEMI NAKAI
PIANIST/COMPOSER/ARRANGER

A native of Japan, she began classic training early and moved in the direction of Jazz, Afro-Cuban music and Salsa. While residing in Osaka, Japan, she started performing Jazz, Brazilian music and Salsa. Her talents were recognized early by some heavy hitter such as Albert “Toottie” Heath in 1992.

In 1993, she began to play in “Mamborama”, which is the most professional Latin Jazz & Salsa group in Osaka, leaded by Yoshi Yamada(b) and joined its recording work in 1997(“Japonismo”).

Also played with Chie Ayado(vo), Rikiya Higashikawa(ds), Carlos Kanno(perc., vo), Gen Ogimi(perc.) who is an ex-leader of “Orquesta de la Luz“, etc… She came to NYC in 1998 to expand her music career.

In 2000, entered Aaron Copland School of Music/Queens College to study big band jazz arrangement under Michael Phillip Mossman(tp), and also took lesson under Sir Roland Hanna(p). She graduated Queens College/M.A. Jazz Performance in 2002.

In 2002, she joined Jimmy Bosch(tb) band and traveled to Europe and played with New York All Stars Band in which joined Giovanni Hidalgo(congas), Dave Valentin(fl), Jose Alberto ”El Canario”(vo) and Alfredo de la Fe(violin). From 2003 to 2004, she played with “Omi Odara” and Juan Carlos Formell(b), “The Cuban Mission” which collaborates Juan’s compositions with Afro-Cuban folk.

In 2006, she performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall with Carlos del Pino(b) Cuban project which connected with Cuban traditional music and contemporary music. She currently plays with Los Mas Valientes(Latin Jazz), Ye-ra son(Charanga), Mario Rodriguez(b) group(Latin Pop) and so on. And also she performs Chiemi Nakai & her Afro- Cuban Jazz Project at several clubs in NYC such as Blue Note, Europe Club, Willie’s steak house, etc…. Her new album “bridges” released in January 2008.