Miami, Oct. 30, 2019 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Arts and Philosophy Department continues its successful jazz series, Jazz at Wolfson Presents, with Hammond B-3 organist Akiko Tsuruga, who will perform at noon, Wednesday, Nov. 13, at MDC’s Wolfson Campus, in downtown Miami.
Raised in Osaka, Japan, this talented musician began studying the organ at age three, at the famed Yamaha Music School. After discovering her passion for jazz very early on in her musical journey, Tsuruga launched her career following her graduation from the Osaka College of Music, performing throughout Japan. In 2001, Tsuruga relocated to New York City and studied under legendary B-3 organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, who became her mentor and biggest musical influence. It didn’t take long for her to achieve standout performances on recordings with jazz greats Frank Wess, Jimmy Cobb and Grady Tate. National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Lou Donaldson chose her in 2006 as his quartet’s organist.
Tsuruga has played at famous venues and jazz festivals across Asia, Canada, Europe and the United States including Carnegie Hall (New York) and Kennedy Center (Washington D.C). She has ten albums as a leader to her credit. Her debut, “Sweet and Funky,” was selected as “Best Album of 2007” in DownBeat magazine. New York City’s Hot House magazine named her “Best Organ” in its 2017 reader’s poll. Her albums have consistently placed in the top ten on jazz radio charts.
MDC’s Jazz at Wolfson Presents features live performances that run monthly from Sept. through April. All Jazz at Wolfson Presents events are free and open to the public. For a complete list of concerts, please visit http://www.mdc.edu/main/jazzatwolfsonpresents.
WHAT: Jazz at Wolfson Presents Hammond B-3 Organist Akiko Tsuruga
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 12 p.m.
WHERE: MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium, Room 1261 (Building 1, second floor), 300 N.E. Second Ave.
For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Di Liddo at 305-237-3930.