Pianist Keigo Hirakawa and is joined by bassist Eddie Brookshire and drummer Reggie Jackson. The Keigo Hirakawa Trio is a hard hitting, hard swinging, jazz piano trio that reach the highest level of improvisational artistry. The trio has worked together for a decade, exploring sounds rich in form, expression, and rhythmic feel that are the hallmarks of this adventurous trio with unmistakably distinct character. 

Acclaimed jazz pianist Stephen Scott describes Hirakawa’s playing as "full of inventiveness and a sense of adventure, creativeness and voracious angularity, aggressiveness, and jaggedness, passion and swing." Jazz critic Mark Sullivan of AllAboutJazz.com characterizes the ensemble as “a true trio, not just piano plus two accompanists.” After seeing their show at Gilly’s in Ohio, legendary jazz guitarist George Benson even remarked “I had to come to Ohio to hear real jazz!” 

The Keigo Hirakawa Trio returns to South Bend at Merriman’s Playhouse on Thursday, July 11th, 2019. The Trio will be performing selections from the critically acclaimed trio album “And Then There Were Three” and the upcoming trio album “Far Above,” as well as the time-honored jazz standards.

Individually, Keigo Hirakawa (piano), Eddie Brookshire (bass), and Reggie Jackson (drums) have careers steeped in jazz tradition playing alongside major artists. Hirakawa has worked/toured with Donald Byrd, Joe Lovano, Carla Cook, Duane Eubanks, Noah Preminger, JD Allen, Bob Moses, and Bobby Lavell. He has studied with world-renowned jazz artists, including Danilo Perez, Stephen Scott, Harold Danko, Alan Pasqua, Cecil McBee, Ralph Peterson, Jerry Bergonzi, Donald Byrd, George Garzone, Bob Moses, and Walt Weiskopf. Hirakawa’s trio features Eddie Brookshire, a veteran bassist who has performed/recorded with Elvin Jones, Rusty Bryant, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Drew Jr., Johnny Lytle, David "Fathead" Newman, and Terell Stafford; and Reggie Jackson, a seasoned drummer long associated with Diane Schuur, Dr. John, and Bobby Floyd.

Reggie Jackson, a Columbus, Ohio, native, is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies. In college, the drummer began working with recording artist Kim Pensyl. Shortly after graduation, Reggie began his 11year tenure with two time grammy winner and jazz legend Diane Schuur, as well as, a short stint with Aftermath recording artist Truth Hurts. He’s also toured with Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and 6 time grammy winner Dr John. In addition to these artists, Reggie has also preformed with Frank Foster, Benny Golson, Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, Anthony Hamilton, Terence Blanchard, Kirk Whalum, Nicholas Payton, Wycliffe Gordon, Wendell Brunious, Rodney Whitaker, Marcus Belgrave, Lew Tabackin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Chuck Loeb, Nelson Rangel and Antonio Hart. The versatile drummer has performed on

the “The Tonight Show”, played in over 25 countries, and can be heard on recordings ranging from jazz to hip-hop, gospel, classical, and R&B.

http://www.keigohirakawa.com/