Pianist and composer Sumire Kuribayashi graduated from a Jazz & Pops course at Music college in Saitama, Japan, Sumire started her music career while in school. In 2014 she played the opening act of “JAZZ AUDITORIA” which is a sister event of “International Jazz Day” advocated by Herbie Hancock. In the same year, she performed at Blue Note Tokyo with internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter, Terumasa Hino, and remarkable jazz violinist, Naoko Terai. 2014 also saw Sumire release her debut album “TOYS” on the then new jazz label SOMETHIN’COOL. The album received very good reviews from prestigious Jazz magazines and she won the ‘New Star’ award in JAZZ LIFE DISC GRAND PRIX 2014. She has won a firm reputation as “21st century modern jazz like no one” and her name and work has gained wide recognition in the music industry since.

Sumire released her 2nd album, Travelin’, in 2015 with her trio. This album was reviewed by the Italian Jazz magazine ”Jazz Convention” who wrote “Belonging to the young generation of the Japanese jazz scene, Kuribayashi has become in the last few years one of the most appreciated pianists both for her noteworthy creative qualities and the remarkable storytelling that crosses the textures of her music.” In 2017 she collaborated with a big name in the Japanese jazz industry, the bassist Hideaki Kanazawa, and released a duo album. Sumire demonstrates great skill as a composer on each of her albums. Her original style is created by unifying a broad musical background and respect for the great predecessors in jazz. She is opening up a new way for jazz and grabs the attention of many an enthralled audience.

“You can create jazz from scratch but you must have responsibilities. I really enjoy playing and creating music with other people. That is the reason why I really got into playing jazz.”

From the interview ‘My Jazz’ – Sumire Kuribayashi by Mayu Ekuni