1 September 1967 – 13 September 2025 was a Japanese jazz composer, organist and pianist from Osaka.
Biography
Tsuruga was born in
Osaka on September 1, 1967,
the oldest of the three children of Hiroko Tsuruga (
née Kiyonaga) and Koji Tsuruga.
Her parents bought her a small organ when she was three and she started learning to play standards. In high school, she listened to Hammond B3 players including
Jimmy Smith, then
Charles Earland,
Jack McDuff,
Jimmy McGriff and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
A 1988 graduate of the Osaka College of Music,
In addition to her solo work, she played as a sideman in various groups in New York. She accompanied Lou Donaldson since 2007.
Tsuruga died on 13 September, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of 58.
Discography
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Harlem Dreams with Grady Tate (2004, M & I)
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Sweet and Funky (2006, M & I; 2007, 18th & Vine; 2018, AT Records)
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St. Louis Blues (2007, Mojo)
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NYC Serenade with Jimmy Cobb (2008, Mojo)
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Oriental Express (2009, 18th & Vine)
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Sakura (2011, 1-2-3-4 GO; American Showplace Music)
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Commencement with Jeff Hamilton and John Hart (2014, Somethin' Cool/DIW Records; AT Records)
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Pelham Parkway by Kevin Golden Trio (2016, Kevin Golden Productions)
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So Cute, So Bad with Jeff Hamilton and Graham Dechter (2017, Somethin' Cool/DIW; AT Records)
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Pride & Joy by Lioness all (2019, Posi-Tone)
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Equal Time with Jeff Hamilton and Graham Dechter (2019, Capri)
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Beyond Nostalgia with Joe Magnarelli, Jerry Weldon, Ed Cherry, Byron Landham (2024, SteepleChase)
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Coast To Coast with Jeff Hamilton and Steve Kovalcheck (2025, R.M.I. Records)
See also
External links
