Sakura

Hailing from Osaka, Hammond B3 organist Akiko
Tsuruga played with jazz superstars such as Roy
Hargrove and Grady Tate while still in Japan. Tate
convinced her to emigrate to New York in 2001, and took
her under his wing. Very quickly, she established herself
as an in-demand player in the hot NYC jazz scene!
Tsuruga s debut CD Harlem Dreams, which featured
Grady Tate, was released in 2004 and quickly became
a bestseller in Japan. Tsuruga s free yet cohesive organ
grooves have been further seasoned under a long
tutelage from organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Previous CDs on the 18th & Vine label include Sweet
and Funky (Best CD of 2007, DownBeat) and Oriental
Express.
Featured in DownBeat s 56th Annual Critics poll as
Rising Star Organ.
First jazz organist to receive the New Star Award
from Swing Journal.