Riyoko Takagi

Riyoko Takagi is an award-winning Japanese jazz pianist and composer whose virtuosic playing and masterful improvisational skills have captivated audiences worldwide. Born in Tokyo, Takagi’s musical journey began with classical piano at the age of four. She honed her technical foundation and composition skills through Yamaha’s specialised music programs before discovering a profound passion for jazz at seventeen. Drawing deep inspiration from legends like Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, she bypassed traditional theory to focus purely on the practical art of improvisation, a spontaneous, dynamic approach that remains the thrilling centerpiece of her live performances today.

Takagi’s career is marked by remarkable versatility and continuous artistic evolution. While her early professional years saw her exploring club-based house music and genre-bending pop, her true voice shines brightest in straight-ahead jazz. Her recent, critically acclaimed piano trio albums, including Celebrity Standards, Jewelry Box, The Piano Story, and Midnight in Blue, have consistently debuted at the top of the Amazon Japan jazz charts. These records beautifully showcase her creative liberation, striking a perfect balance between intricate original compositions, beloved jazz standards, and brilliant jazz-infused arrangements of classical masterpieces by Chopin, Liszt, and Kapustin.

Beyond her chart-topping recordings, Takagi is a celebrated live performer and prominent media presence in Japan, having won Jazz Japan magazine’s prestigious “New Star” award. Her live shows are famous for their interactive, unpredictable nature, often featuring impromptu improvisations inspired by random sounds or audience suggestions.

Toulouse Lautrec is incredibly proud to welcome this exceptional international talent to our stage. Audiences can expect a breathtaking evening of world-class musicianship, where Takagi’s technical brilliance, fearless improvisation and joyful energy offer a truly unforgettable jazz experience.