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Michika Fukumori

Born on Japan's main island, Michika grew up in the city of Mie and began playing the piano at the age of three. Within the next three years, she was composing and performing her own music. After studying classical composition at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Michika studied with renowned Japanese pianist Colgen Suzuki and began working professionally at various jazz clubs in and around Tokyo.

In 2000, she moved to the United States and studied with Ron Carter and Geri Allen at City College of New York, while also taking private lessons under the tutelage of Steve Kuhn. She earned her Master’s Degree at CCNY in 2003.

Since then, Michika has performed at many of Manhattan's most prestigious jazz clubs, including Lenox Lounge, Beekman Tower Hotel, The Garage, Cleopatra's Needle, Antique Garage, Arturo's, and Jazz at Kitano. She has also led a trio at New York's jazz mecca, The Blue Note, in 2004, 2005, 2010, 2013, and 2017.

Michika recorded her first album, Infinite Thoughts, in 2004, joined by David Finck (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums), and produced by Steve Kuhn. In 2016, she released her second album, Quality Time, with Summit Records (USA), featuring Aidan O'Donnell (bass) and Billy Drummond (drums), also produced by Kuhn. The album reached #33 on the JazzWeek chart and remained in the top 50 for several weeks.

In 2018, she released her third album, Piano Images, a solo piano recording with Summit Records, once again produced by Kuhn. The album includes a four-hand performance of Kuhn's representative song, Oceans in the Sky.

Today, Michika balances her work in the U.S. with annual tours in Japan, where she has led trios and quartets for the past twenty years.

In addition to her career as a performer and recording artist, she is also an active composer, accompanist, and educator, currently based in New York.

Michika Fukumori: Piano Images

Read "Piano Images" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 12, 2018

Japanese-born, New York-based pianist Michika Fukumori's first two albums--Infinite Thoughts (Key Click Records, 2004) and Quality Time (Summit Records, 2016)--found her comfortably ensconced in piano trio settings. That most time-honored of formats served her well on both, introducing and showcasing a player with a precision touch, sure sense of swing, and imaginative leanings. For this third date, Fukumori goes it alone. She explores the art of solo piano, using her own original music and classics from the likes of Antonio ...

Recording

Pianist-composer Michika Fukumori Bring Renewed Hope And Confidence To 'Eternity And A Day,' To Be Released June 6 By Summit Records

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity
April 27, 2025

Pianist-composer Michika Fukumori’s increasing assurance and inherent optimism both come to the fore on Eternity and a Day, her marvelous fourth album, set for a June 6 release on Summit Records. A trio album featuring bassist Steve Whipple and esteemed drummer Adam Nussbaum, it also includes four jazz standards and seven original compositions—the first record on which her own writing forms the majority. It is also the first of Fukumori’s albums on which she serves as her own producer. Hence ...
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Recording

Stunning Originals Featured On Pianist Michika Fukumori's "Piano Images" - Solo Project Produced By Steve Kuhn

Source: Mouthpiece Music
July 22, 2018

Michika Fukumori, a native of Japan, has been living in jny: New York City since 2000. A soulful pianist, she was drawn to the U.S to study jazz and become involved in the New York jazz scene. Piano Images (Summit Records, June 22, 2018) is her third CD release since coming to States. The CD is a solo project, featuring Fukumori on piano playing mostly stunning original compositions as well as several of her favorite jazz standards. Fukumori has played ...
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