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Keisuke Kishi
Drummer / Compose / Director
About Me
Keisuke Kishi is a drummer and composer currently based in Hawaii and New York. Born in Hiroshima,
Japan, in 1988, he started learning the drums at the age of seven. After gaining experience in various
bands, he encountered jazz at the age of 20 and participated in numerous jam sessions. He was
influenced by Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, and Art Blakey.
In 2009, he began his professional career in Osaka. From 2012 to 2017, he formed his own jazz fusion
band and toured across Japan. He also performed at Billboard Osaka and Tower Records Japan and
participated in major jazz festivals, including the annual Takatsuki Jazz Festival in Osaka.
Keisuke is active internationally. In 2016, he traveled to Tanzania to study Gogo traditional music
under Julius Zawose, the son of legendary Gogo musician Hukwe Zawose. He played the traditional
Gogo instruments, Ngoma drums and Ilimba, and performed in Tanzania. He also held his own live
performances in Indonesia and Thailand.
Currently, he is performing as the duo band “drizzle” with pianist Jun Sugiura, composing music based
in the United States. He engages in a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, electro, and
alternative music, while also organizing live performances and teaching drumming.
In 2021, he collaborated with renowned musicians from New York, Japan, and Tanzania to produce
the album Elsewhere. The album features musicians such as Nori Naraoka (Ba), Jun Sugiura (Pf), Rod
Williams (Pf), Msafiri Zawose (Per), Eishin Nose (Pf), Ben Paterson (Pf), Masaharu Shimizu (Gt), and
Calvin Johnson (Sax).
Additionally, in 2021, he traveled across the United States, experiencing various cultures. Inspired by
these experiences, he developed the concept for a new album, which materialized as Midpoint Cafe in
2024. The album features musicians including Nori Naraoka (Ba), Jun Sugiura (Pf), Calvin Johnson
(Sax), and Andrew McGowan (Pf).
The album cover incorporates the iconic Midpoint Cafe and Gift Shop sign from Route 66, as well as
artwork by Arizona-based artist Jetsonorama, making it a unique artistic collaboration.
