Hailing from Osaka, Hammond B3 organist Akiko Tsuruga played with jazz superstars such as Roy Hargrove and Grady Tate while still in Japan. Tate convinced her to emigrate to New York in 2001, and took her under his wing. Very quickly, she established herself as an in-demand player in the hot NYC jazz scene! Tsuruga s debut CD Harlem Dreams, which featured Grady Tate, was released in 2004 and quickly became a bestseller in Japan. Tsuruga s free yet cohesive organ grooves have been further seasoned under a long tutelage from organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith. Previous CDs on the 18th & Vine label include Sweet and Funky (Best CD of 2007, DownBeat) and Oriental Express. Featured in DownBeat s 56th Annual Critics poll as Rising Star Organ. First jazz organist to receive the New Star Award from Swing Journal.