"Ken Aihara, the Japanese Multi-Keyboard player/Composer/Producer/Sound designer based in New York, is known for his unique blend of Jazz-fusion, EDM, Rock, and more, defying conventions.
Jazz Trail magazine hails <his performances as captivating and energetically charged.">
Ken released 1st Album “Multiverse” and New Album Circumsteller,
These Album ‘s include a Virgil Donati, Anika Nilles (Jeff Beck), Brazilian guitar sensation Andre Nieri, Bob Lanzetti (Snarky Pappy, 3-times Grammy winner), Evan Marien(Allan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati), and Marko Djordjevic(Matt Garrison, Wayne Krantz)
His achievement on keyboard skills and compositions were highly evaluated by all of them!
On June 21, 2024 Ken joined our 9-person band on keyboard/piano for an outdoor concert. He played on 17 songs of a 21-song set, a handful of songs where Ken was the lead instrument, and many song where he had solos (and improvised), and the rest filling out our sound.
Overall Ken did terrifically. His playing was of high quality, very easily blended with the other instruments (three accoustic guitars, bass guitar, drums, flute) and was seemlessly smooth and suppportive for vocalists. His solos were improvised (or appeared so) and fit well with the vibe of the song and spirit of the event (1960s, 1970s, motown, folk, pop, country, R&B).
Ken was a professional in all respects. He was on-time, had obviously rehearsed and prepped well, came with music on his own tablet and was ready for each song with almost no direction. He was friendly, humble and easily got along with everyone in the band.
I highly recommend him for your events.
Co-Founder and Lead vocalist for NYC area band doing community events
Ken was awesome! Punctual and professional. Went above and beyond both before the show and during. Super talented and a leader on stage. Definitely recommend!
First and foremost, Ken was on time, which I believe is the first impression of a professional.
Secondly, even though I sent him the list of the songs to be played the night before, he was able to handle the situation as I expected with only a few minutes of practice with our singer.
I would definitely recommend him for your events and I am also looking forward to doing business with him in the future.
Ken was very polite and punctual for our Worship Service. He was also appropriately dressed for the event. He planned nicely with the other musicians before the service and they worked favorably together. He was not very familiar with our type of hymns, choruses, chants and intervals of prayers, but due to his high level of musical professionalism, he was able to accompany all singers throughout their performances in an acceptable manner. Thanks for your services GigSalad. You were able to find us a keyboard player with very short notice. 👍🏽👍🏽 Thanks again Ken Aihara for a job well done!
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 30 - 300 minutes
Languages: English, Japanese
•Keyboard/Synth/Piano
Solid knowledge and experiences of keyboard skills (Piano, synth, keyboard, Hammond, etc....).
His skills we're high evaluated of Grammy winner and famous jazz magazines (Jazziz Magazine, Jazz journal, etc..)
•Beat Making/Composition/Produce work
Composed and making music track for Jazz Fusion, Electronic music, R&B, Pop, and film music.
Ken is Producing R&B singer ”VKE”, Remix and the Track making work of Electronic duo ”Pool Moon Elephant”.
•Remote recording by keyboard and Synth.
Ken have great keyboard recording system and sound making skills.
He did remote keys for Paul E West(Dizzy Gillespie) joined Album and Oz Noy, Mike Marciano(Grammy Winner engineer) joins Album.
•Mixing work
Ken Did mix engineer work of R&B singer ”VKE”, Japanese Pops singer ”Tomi”, etc...
•Sound Design
Ken have Solid knowledge of Sound design for SFX, Film and Game Audio.
Ken did sound design work of Oz Noy and Mike Marciano(Grammy Winner), joined Album, the Radiohead producer Sean Slade joined Album, etc...
Ken Aihara is New York-based Japanese Multi-Keyboard player/Composer/ Producer and Sound designer.
Ken mixes different elements of music (Jazz – fusion, EDM, Rock, etc..) to create his own style. Also, his performance produces deep and energy sound. Reason studios Called “New type of keyboardist….. such as keyboard Wizard!!”
Ken attended Osaka University of Art(OUA), Electronic keyboard major in Japan. While Ken studied keyboard techniques and he was inspired by progressive rock and Jazz-fusion. During his time at OUA, Ken won the first prize in the various band competitions and he had the best keyboard award in Osaka University of Art graduate concert.
After getting a degree(B.E), Ken attended Berklee College of Music.
Ken studied Piano under Steve Hunt(Allan Holdsworth), Mark Rossi(George Russell), Dave Limina(B.B. King), to name a few. He also studied electronic production design major for sound design, mix engineering, audio programming, and post-production works.
Ken graduated Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music and he moved to New York. He got opportunities to play with top New York musicians. Also, Ken played synth & sound design for drummer Tomo Hasebe ‘s on the album with Oz Noy, Isamu McGregor(Richard Bona)and Mike Marciano(Two times Grammy winner).
In (phone number hidden)9, Ken released Jazz- Fusion Album “Multiverse”. This Album ‘s credits include a Bob Lanzetti (Snarky Pappy, 3-times Grammy winner), Evan Marien(Allan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati), Marko Djordjevic(Matt Garrison, Wayne Krantz), Aaron Nevezie(Nerve-Jojo Mayer, Emmy Award-nominated) and Alex DeTurk(Brad Mehldau, Kamashi Washington).
Ken Aihara’s new album release, ‘Circumsteller,’ features an electrifying lineup of world-renowned musicians, each adding their distinctive flair to this musical odyssey. Collaborators include the virtuosic Drummer Virgil Donati, the mesmerizing Anika Nilles (known for her work with Jeff Beck), Brazilian guitar sensation Andre Nieri, the dynamic Evan Marien, the exceptional Bob Lanzetti, and the ingenious Jonathan LundBerg of Dirty Loops fame.
He did organize, all compositions, arranging and play keyboard for this Album. His achievement on keyboard skills and compositions were highly evaluated by all of them!
Also This Album got for “best ‘new jazz’ adventure for 2019”.
•Quotes
“Ken Aihara is one of the finest synth soloists I’ve played with, and his compositions have incredible depth.” - Evan Marien (Bassist, Allan Holdswoth, Virgil Donati)
“Participating in the making of Ken Aihara’s debut album Multiverse was a great pleasure, as well as a musical challenge. Mr. Aihara’s music is
eclectic, complex, energetic yet supremely listenable! - Marko Djordjevic (Drummer, Matt Garison, Wayne Krantz)
“What composer and pianist/keyboardist Ken Aihara has accomplished on his debut record Multiverse, is a perfect marriage of chops and rhythmic and harmonic complexity with tuneful, singable, often pretty songs. In addition, his use of keyboards and synths is thoughtful and always done to serve the music first.” - Bob Lanzetti(Guitarist from Snarky puppy, 3times Grammy Winner)
| June 21, 2024 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| May 09, 2024 • 9:00pm - 10:00pm | Concert |
| May 07, 2024 • 10:00pm - 11:00pm | Concert |
| December 27, 2022 • 8:30pm - 9:30pm | Concert |
| October 30, 2022 • 10:00am - 12:00pm | Religious Celebration |
| September 19, 2021 • 11:00am - 2:00pm | Worship Service |
| April 21, 2019 • 9:00am - 11:00am | Worship Service |
| April 19, 2019 • 8:00pm - 9:00pm | Nightclub Event |
| November 01, 2018 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Concert |
Previous Gig Playlist(Pops/R&B)
<a href="https://www.gigsalad.com/external/redirect/aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dWJlLmNvbS9wbGF5bGlzdD9saXN0PVBMOHM1WlIxSWV6TEgwcVU4cHpoMlY1SkR1LUppTWZVVlAmc2k9YThraVhwRkdDQVlSVHVObQ%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8s5ZR1IezLH0qU8pzh2V5JDu-JiMfUVP&si=a8kiXpFGCAYRTuNm</a>
Jazz Standard tunes.
- Autumn Leaves
- All of me
- All of you
- A day of wine rose
- All the things you are
- Ana Maria
- Body and Soul
- Bolivia
- Misty
- Giant Steps
- Green Delphine street
- 500miles
- Sunny
- Golden Lady
- Caravan
- Ipanema
- One note Samba
- Take Five
- Spain
- My Funny Valentine
- Blue Bossa
- Cantaloupe island
- Fly me to the moon
- Foot print
- I mean you
- I’ll remember april
- Maiden Voyage
- Moment Notice
- So What
- Summer time
- Take the A train
- When I fall in love
- Billed bounce
- Bluesettle
- Blue Monk
- Beautiful Love
- Beatrice
- But beautiful
- Confirmation
- Countdown
- Darn that Dream
- Donna lee
- Equinox
- Four
- Groovin high
- Have you met mr johns
- How deep is ocean
- I should care
- Impression?
- Invention.
- Just Friends
- Lady Bird
- Lazy Bird
- Lullaby of birdland
- My foolish harr
- Nicas dream
- Night in Tunisia dia
- Oleo
- Round midnight
- Softy as in the morning
- Someday my prince will come
- ST Thomas
- Stablemates
- WaterMellon man
Jazz Fusion Songs.
- Actual Proof
- Havana
- Fred
- Protools Cosmos
- Tokyo Dream
- Bird land
- Db waltz
- Mysterious Traveler
- Time Track
- Butterfly
- City Gate
- Teen town
- David Take hindmost
- Funnel
- 16men
- Sub aqua
- Mommy Uncle
- Morning Spirit
- Black Ice
Pops and R&B tunes.
- Golden Lady
- Superstation
- Sir Duke
- Overjoyed
- I just call to say love you
- Chicken
- Let’s Stay Together
- Don’t know Why
- Human Nature
- Just of two the us
- Rock with you
- What a fool believe
- Careless whisper
- Afro blue
- Treasure: Bruno Mars
- Sorry
- Moon like jaggle
- Don’t stop now
- How long Charlie puth
- Driver’s License?
- Whatever
- Wonerwall
- Bird
- I want you love
- PYT
- Valerie
- Feel like makin love
- Twist and Shout Beatles
- Shape of you
- Thinly out loud
- Little wing jimuhendrix
- Blue eyes blue
- Roxanne Sting Police
- Englishman in NY
- Brown Sauger
- Sunday Morning
Allan Holdsworth, Dream Theater, Chick Corea, EL&P, Dirty loops, Mark-de-clive-low, Planet X, Philippe Saisse, Donny Mccaslin Group, David Sancious, Geoffrey Keezer, Jason Rebello, Telfon Tel Aviv, (link hidden)ll,
New York City, NY 
Pianist
282 Verified Bookings Amanda . V. said “Mikhail was amazing and we were so happy with his performance at our wedding. He was easy to communicate with and exceeded our expectations.”
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Pianist
35 Verified Bookings Rhonda S. said “Alex is a delight to with, and we throughly enjoyed our experience with her. She can do a huge range of music styles and reads the audience very well.…”
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Keyboard Player
14 Verified Bookings Frank Y. said “Shawn performed at the cocktail hour for our wedding and did an amazing job. We had certain pop / hip-hop music that we wanted him to play and even offered…”
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Pianist
32 Verified Bookings Steven P. said “Dan exceeded my expectations! He is SUPER talented and a total professional. I would hire him again in a New York minute. His talent and warmth elevated…”
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