Akiko Horii on SoundBetter

Japanese-French jazz/world percussionist. Graduated from CalArts (2004) in West African Music and Dance. Studied djembe, dunduns, and balafon in West Africa. Released 4 albums as leader/co-leader (AfuriKo, Les Elles du Tambour) with reviews on London Jazz News, All About Jazz... Toured internationally with AfuriKo, Django Bates, Andy Narell...

Akiko's deep sense of rhythm and graceful abstractions notably brought her into the spotlight with several performances on Congahead. In addition to displaying an impressive array of intricate grooves on the three albums she produced with AfuriKo (African infused jazz duo co-led with pianist/keyboardist Jim Funnell), Akiko’s skilful arrangements and original compositions are showcased on her own percussion group’s eponymous release Les Elles du Tambour (2012). The band played throughout France, including appearances at Art Rock Festival and at the Studio de l’Ermitage opening for Ethio-jazz unit Akalé Wubé.

A multifaceted artist versed in numerous musical styles of the African Diaspora, Akiko has toured for many years, working with Django Bates’ Loose Tubes, Andy Narell, Monette Marino (under the direction of Mamady Keïta), Zalindê, the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, Oxmo Puccino, Kery James, Grand Corps Malade, and Ibrahim Maalouf. She has performed in fourteen countries across four continents, at venues and festivals such as Jazz a la Calle (Uruguay), the London Jazz Festival, Kathmandu Jazz Festival (Nepal), Ronnie Scott’s (London), Herts Jazz Festival (UK), Kanazawa Jazz Streets (Japan), Jazz à la Villette, the Palais des Congrès, and the Olympia in Paris, Coburg Samba Festival (Germany), Festival International de Timgade (Tunisia), Festival +KSamba (Mallorca, Spain)...

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Credits

5 Reviews

Endorse Akiko Horii

by David R.
Verified
Akiko is very intuitive and raised the quality and impact of a slow tune with a very light touch of percussion. Highly recommend!
by Calvin Albert
Verified
This is my first time working with Akiko, and the tracks she delivered were clean, professionally recorded, and (most important) right in the grove of the song that I sent her. I highly recommend her for your projects, this lady is a complete percussionist. Thank you, Akiko!
by Francis L.
Verified
Akiko gave my song the sparkle it needed with well thought our licks and blings! Communication was prompt and clear.
by Guillaume
Akiko is an amazing percussionist with great recording skills. She was communicative and delivered her tracks in a timely manner. I would definitely hire her again and strongly recommend her to anyone looking to add percussion to his/her project.
by Ken Kubota
Akiko is amazing! Her seemingly endless arsenal of grooves ranging from tastefully simple to impressively complex give her the versatility to compliment any project I bring her on to. I always love her nuanced sense of colors and orchestration through her array of percussive instruments as well. If that isn't enough, she's incredibly friendly and professional too!