Jacob Koller Biography

日本語

年米国アリゾナ州・フェニックス生まれ。高校に入学までにアリゾナ・ヤマハ ・

ピアノ・コンクールを含む 10 以上のクラシック ・ ピアノコンクールで優勝する

。2007 年には、「COLE PORTER JAZZ PIANO FELLOWSHIP」のファイナリスト

の一人に選ばれる。2009年来日後、TOKU のバックなど、 ジャズ ・ ピアニストと

して活躍。同年、星や月にちなんだ名曲を集めた 『STARS』、2010 年 4 月にはジ

ャジーにショパンをプレイしてみせた 「ショパンに恋して」 がスマッシュ ・

ヒット。 2015 年、 人気TV 番組の “ピアノ王決定戦” で優勝。 2023 年 6月現在、

YouTubeのJacob Koller/The Mad Arrangerチャンネル登録者数は30万人、

Jacob Koller Japanチャンネル登録者数は31万人を突破。

English

I started playing piano when I was 4 because my older brother played

and I wanted to do whatever he did. I won a bunch of classical

competitions but didn’t really get into music until I joined my high

school jazz band. More than the actual genre of jazz, it was the freedom

of improvisation that I couldn’t get enough of.

I studied jazz and classical piano at Arizona State University and took a

bunch of lessons with some amazing pianists like Fred Hersch, Kenny

Werner and Uri Caine.

I worked as a full time gigging jazz musician for a long time but I don’t

think I found my true calling until moving to Japan. A month after I

moved here I lucked into my first job arranging 15 songs for a solo

piano album. The CD sold really well and more arranging projects came

my way. Over a few year period I came to realize that arranging,

composing and teaching was my true calling so I quit playing gigs and

dedicated my time to those three things.

I released my own CD’s on several labels in Japan including Colombia

and Universal Records. Although, the opportunity was great for my

artistic development I didn’t agree with their sales approach so I

formed my own label and publishing company in 2017 so I could do

things my way.

It has taken me a while to figure out what I want to do but I am having a

blast arranging all kinds of different songs, making videos, releasing

sheet music books etc.