Kei Akagi (ケイ 赤城/赤城 恵, Akagi Kei, born March 16, 1953)[1] is a Japanese American jazz pianist. In particular, he is known for his work with the Airto Moreira/Flora Purim group and in Miles Davis's band in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was born in Japan, but lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for part of his childhood, until he moved back to Japan at the age of 12. He later returned to the United States at 22. He is associated with the Californian jazz scene at present. He is the Chancellor Professor of Music at the University of California, Irvine.
Discography
As leader/co-leader
Year recorded
Title
Label
Year released
Notes
1983
Symphonic Fusion – The Earth
Nippon Columbia
1983
Soundtrack
1991
Playroom
Moo
1992
Some tracks trio, with Bob Harrison and John Patitucci (bass; separately), Tom Brechtlein (drums); most tracks quartet, with Rick Margitza (tenor sax, soprano sax) added
^Gilbert, Mark (2002). "Akagi, Kei". In Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The new Grove dictionary of jazz, vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 21. ISBN1561592846.