AYA SEKINE

Aya’s way of playing the piano is ultimately unique and original. Having mastered traditional and hard swinging Jazz as her backbone, she has been traveling around every kind of music – Rock, Rockabilly, Brazilian music, Latin, Punk Rock(hardcore punk as well), and freestyle improvisations and more! Everything has been digested and mixed inside her, and what comes out is, Aya, her own self.

An emotional and passionate personality goes through her fingers on the ivory, and shoots your heart.All the performances feature her unconditional love for Jazz – and be assured to be excited by her original compositions and unlimited influences from all the music she has been playing all around the world.

Aya is a full blooded Japanese girl. She spent good 9 years in New York City, performing and experiencing music that is so raw and alive. Jazz was not the only music in New York City. When she realized, she made a quick shift to every single sound that her ears were attracted to. Her excellent collaborations in the past with world class musicians bolded her confidence and expression without fear. She plays like she knows she might die tomorrow.

Now based in Singapore (where she grew up), she has been opening up many local and foreign audiences’ senses by vicious yet sensitive way of her performances.Not only her music unique and original, she has got style in presenting her visually.Watch out you fashion geeks, she will give you some kicks in your buttocks!

Aya will “open” you up, and together with her band, feel the world of music. You will soon find yourself unwinding…and live and think life like a free bird!!!　Her 2 months break wasn’t wasted. Ayaschool is back. She is ready. The phoenix has flew back to get you higher than Mount Favor!


Born in Osaka Japan, Aya's childhood was divided between Singapore and Japan until 1990. Her study of piano and intensive ear training began at only five years old and this has been the major influence in her life ever since.

At the age of eleven Aya joined a brass band, an association that would last eight years. Her musical experiences in the band embraced the family of percussion instruments ranging from drums to vibraphones where Aya developed strong and vibrant rhythmic impression.

In 1990 Aya earned her High School Diploma as well as several Outstanding Music Awards when she graduated from the Singapore American High School. To further her musical studies, Aya relocated to Boston, Massachusetts and studied at Berklee College of Music (1990-1994). During this time she was introduced to and fell in love with Jazz by listening to and playing with many great musicians from all over the world. After obtaining her diploma she relocated to the music capital of the world, New York City.

Aya has an extremely accomplished work experience record, having performed with many world class musicians. A few examples being bassist Leo Traversa (Ivan Lins), Brazilian bassistSergio Brandao who performs regularly at Zincbar(Tania Maria, Herbie Mann), drummer Bruce Cox(Sonny Rollins), Japanese Trumpeter Terumasa Hino, Tenor saxophonist Dale Barlow (Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers, Ceder Walton), trumpeter Damon Brown, an amazing trumpeter and composer from UK and.....more.

Besides her performances, Aya has strived to provide a more creative environment for musicians. She has organized many music events including Japan-Smacksdown-NewYork 2000, a 10-day festival which featured 7 Japanese highly acclaimed experimental groups and local NYC musicians in September 2000. She is currently working on more invitations for Japanese, NY based, and Scandinavian musician to perform in Singapore.

Aya spent 9 years in New York City and returned to Singapore where she was asked to become the resident pianist at Jazz@Southbridge, Singapore the best place to enjoy high-end Jazz performaces, truly the main jazz club in Singapore. Attracted by her dynamic and sensitive piano performances, the club is always packed and she has countless devoted fans.

In November 2003, Aya recorded her first full length album recently released in May 2006 with strikingly innovative CD launch concert at Esplanade. The album "Inside, Out!" has been attracting attention of all medias, including TCS program "FRONT" on Art Central, which featured Aya, and her music in late August 2006.

Besides Singapore she also performs in Japan with Jun Matsue Group, a hard rock concept mixed with jazz and experimental sound, which has also released 2 albums in 2003 and 2005. Both in 2005 and 2006, Aya was invited to perform at the Mosaic Music Festival at the Esplanade.

For the first year, she performed completely organic improvisations with the well known saxophonist Boon Chye. The unit is called MODAL and was also invited to perform at YAMAHA Grandpiano Fair at Suntec Convention Centre in last September.

This year, she performed in her own Jazz piano trio Captain Bebop, which turned out to be a bigger success than anyone could imagine!!! Aya has collaborated with many, the most recent being with experimental sound creator Phillip Tan, dancer Daniel K, a young and enigmatic poet YUN and famed kinetic sculptor Masato Tanaka from Japan at Sculpture Square in Singapore in April 2005.

She has also been accompanying the contemporary dance classes at LaSalle-SIA Art College. With this depth of experience and wide range of influences Aya is an extremely talented, experimental and ambitious musician, able to play in a range of styles whilst adding her own unique touch.

Aya Sekine plays at Blu Jaz every Friday in Sept 07 and every Saturday in Oct, Nov and Dec o7. She invites 3 friends to play with her (she calls her friends - crazy guests) Her crazy guests are subjected to change every week at her own will.