Riyoko Takagi - Chasing the World

2026

The CD “Chasing The World” by Riyoko Takagi is released on the Steelpan label and continues the piano-centered arrangements she has been cultivating. The program combines original compositions with interpretive versions of well-known pieces, showcasing Takagi’s clear, melodically focused approach to jazz.

Riyoko Takagi is known as a pianist and composer who links jazz tradition with a classically informed background; her repertoire ranges from jazz standards to arrangements of classical works, and she performs both as a soloist and in a piano trio. Hallmarks of her style include flowing melodic lines, precise touch and dynamic control, and a keen sense for harmonic refinement that gives the pieces immediacy and pronounced musicality.

As with her earlier releases on Steelpan Records, the piano-centered ensemble sound remains at the forefront; Takagi regularly collaborates with seasoned accompanists and places emphasis on transparent production and nuanced articulation. The CD edition thus offers a documentary complement to her work for listeners who appreciate contemporary jazz grounded in classical tradition. 

Riyoko Takagi - Piano

Kazuhiro Matsushita - Bass

Yasushi Fukumori - Drum