Takumi Kakimoto is an award-winning pianist, composer, and arranger based in Los Angeles.

 

Born in Himeji, Japan, he began playing piano at the age of six. He studied at Yamaha Music School and began exploring jazz in high school, later studying with jazz pianist Minoru Ozone. In 2014, he received a full-tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance and Jazz Composition. He later completed a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the University of Southern California under the mentorship of Vince Mendoza.

 

His commissioned work includes projects for artists and ensembles in the United States, Japan, and beyond, with writing ranging from solo and small ensemble music to big band and orchestra. Takumi’s performances and compositions have received numerous honors, including the BMI Foundation Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize, ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards, DownBeat Student Music Awards, and a Yamaha Music Foundation grant. 

 

Takumi also has extensive experience as a ballet pianist, having worked with renowned dance institutions including Boston Ballet and American Contemporary Ballet.