Junko Onishi

Onishi was born in Apr 16, 1967, in the city of Kyoto (Japan). She grew up in Tokyo where she started her classical piano lessons and soon became interested in jazz. She moved to Boston, MA (US), to study at Berklee College of Music and, later on, moved to New York City to become a professional jazz piano player.

She worked with Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Kenny Garret, Mingus Dinasty, Jackie McLean, Holly Cole and Bily Higgins. As a leader piano player, she has recorded several CDs, among them "Live at the Village Vanguard", "Cruisin´" and "Fragile".

Onishi´s playing is reminescent of McCoy Tyner. She says she´s been primarily influenced by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman. However, by listening to her, one can inequivocally say she has a talent of her own.