Keiko Komaki, an accomplished keyboardist and pianist, was born and raised in Kagoshima, Japan. She began studying classical piano with her aunt at the age of five. Keiko’s deep love for music led her to graduate from Kunitachi College of Music and dive into Tokyo’s vibrant music scene. In 2006, she made the bold move to New Orleans to chase her musical dreams.

 

     It wasn’t long before she was performing with some of the city’s most legendary musicians, including the late Marva Wright and Benny Turner. Since then, she has collaborated with many beloved New Orleans musicians such as Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., Vasti Jackson, Marc Stone, Sam Price & the True Believers, Charlie Wooton, and Leon “Kid Chocolate” Brown, and many more.

 

     In 2014, Keiko joined the Playing For Change Band, an international music project dedicated to connecting the world through music. With PFC, she has toured across 23 countries throughout Europe, Australia, Japan, and South America. Her performances have included collaborations with artists like The Doobie Brothers, Little Feat, Lee Oskar, and Ellis Hall. Her keyboard work is featured in several of PFC’s widely viewed videos, including The Weight (with Ringo Starr and Robbie Robertson), No Woman No Cry, Better Place, Down By the Riverside, Color, and many more.

 

     Today, Keiko leads her own projects—" KJD Trio " and " Komaki Soul"

—and continues to light up New Orleans with weekly sets at d.b.a. ’s Free POC and Tara Alexander’s Soulful Sunday. She also occasionally plays New Orleans–style solo piano at the Booker back bar in the Maple Leaf and regularly appears at the annual WWOZ Piano Night.

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