烏野薰 Kaoru Uno

Kaoru Uno is a distinguished Japanese jazz pianist based in Taiwan. Born in Japan, she began her musical journey with rigorous classical piano training from a young age. During her secondary education, she served as the lead piano accompanist for her school's choir and orchestra, representing her school in numerous festivals and competitions. While studying social psychology in university, she turned her focus to jazz, studying under pianist Seijuro Fujisawa and serving as the lead pianist and arranger for the university jazz band. After graduating, she moved to the United States to attend the Berklee College of Music, where she majored in Jazz Piano Performance under the tutelage of Hal Crook. In 1997, she relocated to Taiwan and has since become a central figure in the local jazz landscape. She is currently a resident pianist at Blue Note Taipei and the Taipei Jazz Orchestra (TJO), and serves as the conductor and music director for the Taipei Youth Jazz Orchestra (TYJO). Additionally, she is frequently invited to participate in large-scale performances, recordings, arrangements, and educational activities. Her discography includes her 2005 debut album, "The Jazz Piano Trio Creations," which was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 17th Golden Melody Awards in 2006. In 2006, she released the album "Is You Is or Is You ain’t My Baby," which was selected as one of Eslite Music’s top jazz recommendations of the year. Her performances are characterized by a seamless blend of classical technical brilliance and heartfelt improvisational expression.