Toshiko Akiyoshi (Pianist, Composer)

It was a Japanese record collector that gave a young Toshiko Akiyoshi her first taste of jazz. The tune was "Sweet Lorraine," performed by Teddy Wilson, and the flame of jazz was lit in Ms. Akiyoshi's heart.

Since her days as a youngster in Japan, Ms. Akiyoshi has received tremendous acclaim for her original compositions written for her 16-piece big band. She emigrated to the United States to study at Boston's Berklee College of Music in 1955, and since then has toured extensively with her jazz orchestra.

She recently wrapped a seven-year residency at Birdland, one of New York City's most well-know jazz spots, with the hopes of returning to solo piano. She also completed a tribute piano work performed in 2001 to commemorate the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima that sparked the beginning of World War II.

Listen to samples: http://www.berkeleyagency.com/html/toshiko.html

NEA Jazz Masters 2007

This year's class of Jazz Masters covers the global spectrum of the jazz community. The IAJE Conference invites the NEA Jazz Masters to attend the conference and connect with the educators and students they have so greatly influenced. Here's a brief look as this year's Jazz Masters:

2007 Fellowships Recipients

• Toshiko Akiyoshi - Bandleader
• Curtis Fuller - Solo Instrumentalist (Trombone)
• Ramsey Lewis - Pianist
• Dan Morgenstern - A.B. Spellman NEA Jazz Masters Award for Jazz Advocacy
• Jimmy Scott - Vocalist
• Frank Wess - Solo Instrumentalist (Flute)
• Phil Woods - Composer-Arranger

Photo credits: Ray Barretto - photo by Jean-Jacques Pussiau; Tony Bennett - photo courtesy of Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Bob Brookmeyer- photo by Wolfgang Gonaus; Chick Corea - photo by Pino Ninfa; Buddy DeFranco - photo by Denny Lester; Freddie Hubbard - photo by Jimmy Katz; John Levy - photo by Leroy Hamilton.