"Atsuko is one of the hardest swinging organists I've ever played with. Visually, it's kind of a surprise. She's a slight figure, and she's got complete control of this huge instrument, swinging so hard it's like a big band."
– Jeff Hamilton
“Atsuko’s soloing throughout this session is absolutely wonderful. She reveals her comprehensive approach to Jazz Organ. She is to be considered nothing less than a world-class artist in this medium. With the level of communication provided by husband, Yutaka, no tune escapes authenticity and true improvisational study. Atsuko Hashimoto has truly arrived… and she is here to stay!”
– Pete Fallico
Atsuko Hashimoto discovered her fascination for the organ at an early age. Since then, she has not only become a member of a unique and worldwide group of musicians who play Jazz and Blues music on the Hammond organ, she has in fact proven to be one of the leading organists within this group.
At the age of 18, by giving live demonstrations and working as a Hammond certified instructor she quickly developed a reputation for her skills at the B3, creating complex melodic and harmonic compositions over a consistent, inventive and hard-swinging bass-line. A reputation that finally would bring her music to the US where she debuted in 1999, playing clubs in California, the historic Pearls Jazz club in San Francisco among others.
The first half-decade of the new millennium Atsuko released 3 full length CD’s “Jazz Organ Tribute”, “Full Organ” and “Songs We Love”. In 2007 her long time collaboration with famed drummer Jeff Hamilton finally resulted in a booking to perform at the 50th anniversary Monterey Jazz Festival, and later Smoke Jazz Club in New York. While touring the US a compilation of the material performed together through the years has been put to tape at Capitol Studios, LA. An album that will be released early 2008.
Atsuko continues to tour Japan and the US to the delight of jazz organ fans and audiences. In early 2008 she will perform at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho and The Newport Beach Jazz Party in Orange County.
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