Michika Ishikawa
Michika Fukumori Ishikawa
Born in Mie, Michika Fukumori Ishikawa started to play the piano at the age 3 and began composing at 6. After graduating from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Michika studied with jazz pianist, Colgen Suzuki and started to work professionally at jazz clubs in Tokyo. In addition to forming her own trio, she played with several jazz artists including Chieko Tsutsumi (alto sax), Tatsuya Sato(tenor sax), Mihoko Uemura(vocal).
In 2000, Michika came to New York to take up studies with Ron Carter and Jeri Allen at City College of New York as well as private studies with Steve Kuhn. Michika toured Greece, as the pianist with the Chiquita Green Group in 2001. She completed her MA at CCNY in 2003 and now plays at many jazz clubs in New York. At the famed Blue Note, she leads a trio with Per-ola Gadd (bass) and Chip White (drums). She recorded her own album with David Fink (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums) and recently toured Japan with her own trio in 2004. Michika also works as the accompanist for Carol Fredette’s Jazz Vocal Workshop.
