Makiko Hirabayashi is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer, born in Tokyo in 1966 and based in Copenhagen since 1990. She made her debut as a bandleader in 2006 and has since become a distinctive voice on the Scandinavian jazz scene, known for her lyrical, improvisatory playing. She leads both the Makiko Hirabayashi Trio, which for two decades featured drummer Marilyn Mazur and bassist Klavs Hovman, and the quartet Weavers with saxophonist Fredrik Lundin.
Makiko Hirabayashi and Weavers perform the Händel-inspired compositions from 'Gifts' at DR Koncerthuset as part of Krydsklange III during Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
Hirabayashi performed together with percussionist Satoshi Takeishi and Odense Jazz Orchestra at DR Koncerthuset.
Weavers toured in Denmark and Germany with the concert series 'Echoes of Händel', including in Albertslund, Svendborg and Regensburg.
Hirabayashi's tenth studio album 'Gifts' with the quartet Weavers, inspired by a composition assignment for the Händel Festival in Halle, was released on Enja/Yellowbird.
Statens Kunstfond highlights in its artist profile for 2026 that Hirabayashi received DJBFA's Honorary Prize in 2020.
