Makiko Hirabayashi – pianist/composer
Makiko Hirabayashi is a Japanese pianist and composer, based in Copenhagen since 1990. She has received wide critical acclaim as a personal voice on the international jazz scene since the release of her debut album as a leader in 2006. Throughout the last two dacades, she has toured extensively across Europe and Asia with her trio feat. Marilyn Mazur and Klavs Hovman, her quartet, Weavers and as a solo pianist.
Makiko’s latest and tenth studio album “Gifts” (enja 2025) is recorded with her qaurtet – Weavers, following their first album which won Jazz Album Of The Year at Danish Music Awards 2021. Triggered by a composition commission by the Handel Festival in Halle, the making of this album served as a deeply personal journey for the Tokyo born composer/pianist. Memories of Handel’s music in her youth have inspired nine tracks that sound both new and reflective – symbolizing the gift of music and its transformative power. The quartet, Weavers, featuring some of the leading figures of the Scandinavian music scene – Fredrik Lundin (sax), Thommy Andersson (b), Bjørn Heebøll (d) – flows effortlessly through delicate grooves and free playing, with the collective, creative force at its core.
With Makiko Hirabayashi Trio, she has released 5 albums and toured internationally for the last 18 years. With their vibrant interplay and strong compositions with a great storytelling quality, they have captured the imagination of many audiences around the world. The trio’s latest album Meteora was listed amongst The Best Albums of 2023 by Downbeat Magazine, and Makiko was nominated for Jazz Composer Of The Year at Danish Music Awards 2024.
As a sidewoman, she plays an active role in numerous projects led by Marilyn Mazur, and has worked with many of Europe’s top notch musicians, including Enrico Rava, Norma Winstone, Nils Petter Molvær and Josefine Cronholm.
Makiko was born 1966 in Tokyo, where she started playing piano at the age of 4. Spending 5 years of her formative years in Hong Kong – a cultural melting pot at the time, has had a lasting impact on her life. At age 20, she won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her original intention to study film scoring quickly shifted towards improvising and composing on the piano, as she found herself immersed in the live jazz scene of Boston. Since 1990, she has been based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her multicultural background and musical diversity is reflected in her music. Elements of jazz, classical music, Far Eastern music and Nordic moods are all molded into an intriguing, compelling sound of her own.
Awards/Grants
2024
• Nominated in category, Jazz Composer of The Year at Danish Music Awards for “Meteora”/Makiko Hirabayashi Trio
2021
• Jazz Album Of The Year for “Weavers” at Danish Music Awards 2021
2020
• Honorary Award from DJBFA (Danish Composers Association)
2020-2024, 2007-2017
• Danish Arts Foundation’s grant for artistic work
2010
• Best Instrumental Album 2009 for “Hide And Seek”
(Jazz Critique Magazine, Japan)
2010
• Jazz Melody Award for title track “Hide And Seek”
(Jazz Critique Magazine, Japan)
1995
• Best Arrangement, Audience Choice Award, 3rd Prize with group, Sisters at Europ’ Jazz Contest, Bruxelles