Vocal Ridia’s Profile

 

1997

• Won an Encouragement Prize at the Asakusa Jazz Contest

 

• Performed with alto saxophone player Akira Omori, leading expert in the bebop world and graduate of Kunitachi College of Music and Berkeley Music School

 

• Began studying under Akira Omori, which has continued for many years

 

1998

• Acted as interpreter for Malcolm Earl "Mal" Waldron, an American jazz pianist and a great Japanophile who is famous for his signature song "Left Alone"

 

2001

• Performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Noto and received excellent recognition

 

2003

• Began singing for the Moonlight Jazz Orchestra based in Ishikawa Prefecture, succeeding Chie Ayado

 

• Performed at Big Apple in Nonoichi with James Moody (Tenor Saxophone and Flute), Renee Rosnes (Piano), Todd Coolman (Bass) and Adam Nussbaum (Drums)

 

2004

• Performed at the event celebrating the opening of the Minatomirai 21 Line, a subway line in Yokohama City

 

• Debuted in Hong Kong. Performed regularly with the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra, a Hong Kong big band

 

• First performed at the Hong Kong Jazz Festival, and has performed annually since then

 

• Performed at Big Apple in Nonoichi with jazz pianist Junior Mance and others

 

2005

• Performed at the annual Yokohama Port Opening Festival

 

• Performed with the Cotton Club Band, featuring Akira Omori (Alto Saxophone)

 

2006

• Formed Love Dellax with Satoshi Sano (Trombone, Flute, Harmonica and Pandiero) and Hiroki Morioka (Piano)

 

2007

• Released two CDs under Love Dellax

  • The first album "The Nearness of You" featuring jazz numbers, and the second "Sambou Sambou" featuring bossa nova numbers

• Following the release of the two CDs, commenced national tour

  • Sep 2008Concert tour in Hokkaido

  • Oct 2009Concert tour in Hokuriku

  • Nov 2010Concert tour in Kurashiki

             *All received excellent reviews

 

2007 - 2012

• Performed as a vocalist for Orquesta de la MADRUGADA, a Latin jazz big band

 

2011

• Performed at the charity event for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake hosted by Meguro Gajoen, and tried to encourage the afflicted people with her energetic singing

 

• Performed with Mike Price (Trumpet)

 

• Performed with tap-dancer SUJI in a big band show, and tap-danced as well

 

2012

• Performed with the Izumi Swing Orchestra

 

2013

• Resumed Bebop Live Shows with Akira Omori (Alto Saxophone) and did regular concerts at the Tokyo Club four times a year

 

2014

• Started singing and playing the piano, making performances more popular

 

2015

• Recorded "The City Lights", written and composed by Akira Omori

 

2016

• Released "Ridia", an album recorded with Akira Omori and the New York Quartet -- Hod O'Brien (Piano), Neal Caine (Bass) and Clifford Barbaro (Drums)

 

2017

• Performed as a chorus member with Malo Republic in Very Special Music Festival in Machida 2017 (Malo Republic is a Japanese tribute band of Latin-rock Band Malo based in the San Fransisco Bay Area, originally led by Jorge Santana, the brother of Latin-rock guitarist Carlos Santana) http://malo-republic.main.jp/

 

2018

• Performed as a guest along with Akira Omori in a show of a big band Takayoshi Tanaka & Stuff Orchestra, and gave a tremendous boost to the show with her powerful and energetic singing

2019

• Performed as a chorus member with Malo Republic in Very Special Music Festival in Machida 2019http://malo-republic.main.jp/

 

• Performs at Akasaka November Eleventh, Live Bar Akasaka Tonalite, Roppongi Satin Doll, Shinjuku J, Suidobashi Tokyo Club, Machida Korin, Machida Sunny Side, Sagamihara Stray Blue and other clubs with live music in Tokyo

 

• Has been teaching younger singers at YAMAHA about 20 years, and has an excellent reputation for her teaching styles tailored to individual singers

 

• Besides jazz singing and piano playing, also teaches Portuguese and Latin American Spanish

 

• Has taught more than 600 students, and many of them have debuted as professional singers

 

• Has been hosting student recitals twice a year, and the total number has reached 60 as of 2019

 

• Is also actively performing as a salsa and jitterbug dancer