Kei Akagi facts for kids

Kei Akagi (ケイ 赤城/赤城 恵, Akagi Kei, born March 16, 1953) is a talented Japanese American jazz pianist. He is known for his amazing piano playing.

He became famous for working with the Airto Moreira and Flora Purim group. He also played in Miles Davis's band. Miles Davis was a very famous jazz musician. Kei Akagi played with Davis in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Early Life and Music Journey

Kei Akagi was born in Japan on March 16, 1953. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for some of his childhood. When he was 12, he moved back to Japan.

Later, at age 22, he returned to the United States. He is now a professor of music. He teaches at the University of California, Irvine. He is a big part of the jazz music scene in California.

Albums and Collaborations

Kei Akagi has released many albums where he is the main artist. These albums show his unique piano style. He has also played with many other famous musicians.

Albums as a Leader

Kei Akagi has released several albums under his own name or as a co-leader. Some of his notable albums include:

• Symphonic Fusion – The Earth (1983)
• Playroom (1992)
• Mirror Puzzle (1994)
• New Smiles and Traveled Miles (2000)
• Viewpoint (2000)
• Palette (2001)
• Grand New Touch (2003)
• A Hint of You (2003)
• Modern Ivory (2004)
• Live – Shapes in Sound (2006)
• Liquid Blue (2007)
• Circlepoint (2014)
• Contrast & Form (2016)
• Aqua Puzzle (2018)

Playing with Other Artists

Kei Akagi has also played as a sideman for many other jazz greats. This means he played piano in their bands or on their albums.

With Miles Davis

He played on several albums with the legendary Miles Davis:

• Dingo (1991) – a movie soundtrack
• Miles in Paris (1991) – a live recording from 1989
• Live Around the World (1996) – live recordings from 1988–1991

With Frank Gambale

Kei Akagi also worked with guitarist Frank Gambale on these albums:

• Brave New Guitar (1985)
• A Present for the Future (1987)
• Live! (1989)
• Thunder from Down Under (1990)
• Note Worker (1991)

Other Collaborations

He has also played with other famous musicians like:

• Allan Holdsworth on Frankfurt '86 (2020)
• Gary Lefebvre on Gary Lefebvre Quartet (1982) and Another Time, Another Place (1986)
• Al di Meola on Tirami Su (1987)
• James Newton on Suite for Frida Kahlo (1994)
• Stanley Turrentine on Do You Have Any Sugar? (1999)

Learn More

You can find more information about Kei Akagi here:

• Official Website (Japanese): http://www.aomori-net.ne.jp/~yamagen/kei/top.htm
• Billboard bio
• Faculty bio UCI
• Allmusic