Takaaki Otomo

Born and raised in Hyogo, Japan, Takaaki Otomo began studying classical piano before discovering jazz at age 15. He won the Grand Prize at the 1st Kobe Next Jazz Competition in 2007.

 

After relocating to New York in 2014, he performed at notable venues such as Jazz Forum, Blues Alley in DC, Cellar Dog, Saint Peter’s Church, Bar Bayuex, Minton's to name a few. His 2017 album New Kid in Town, produced by Bernard Hoffer, reached No. 11 on the JazzWeek chart and was featured in DownBeat Magazine.

 

After several active years back in Japan, he returned to New York in 2025.​