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Junichiro Mataga

Junichiro Mataga is a Jazz Pianist, Jazz Composer, Arranger, and Educator based in New York City. He grew up in Niigata, Japan. He began playing piano when at six years old. He moved to Tokyo after graduating high school and began studying Jazz Piano in the University Jazz Club. He graduated from The University of Electro-Communications with a major in Master of Engineering and then worked as a Sound and Vibration Researcher at the Central Research Lab of NEC Corporation. In parallel, he was active in the Jazz scene in Tokyo, Japan. He performed in his leader band, the big band “Shiny Stockings”, the gospel band “7season”, and the jazz quartet “Beyond the Cinema”. His career took a major turning point in 2019 when he moved to New York and began taking courses in the Jazz major program at Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College in New York City. He studied with world-renowned musicians such as David Berkman, Jeb Patton, Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Dennis Mackrel, Tim Armacost, and many others. He graduated from ACSM in May 2020. He is now working as a freelance musician in NYC. In 2021, he released his debut piano trio album "Sketches", and the album got the Silver Medal/Outstanding Achievement at Global Music Awards of Composition. Mataga also released his second album Landscape in April 2024. His original composition from this album, "Escher’s Staircase," won the Grand Prize in the Jazz Category of the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and went on to win the Lennon Award, the top annual honor in the genre.*

Awards

"Escher's Staircase (from Landscape)" - the Lennon Award—the top annual honor in the Jazz category and Grand Prize Winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest 2024 (Jazz Category), "Landscape" - Silver Medal/Outstanding Achievement, Global Music Awards (Jazz)(2024), Top Albums of the Year 2021 "Junichiro Mataga/Sketches", Silver Medal/Outstanding Achievement, Global Music Awards (Composition)(2021), 2nd Niigata Jazz Competition, The first Prize of Jazz Combo Division, Niigata, Japan (2013) Marvin Hamlisch Award, Aaron Copland School of Music, New York (2019)

Junichiro Mataga: Landscape

Read "Landscape" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
June 14, 2025

Japanese pianist Junichiro Mataga made the move to the United States in 2019 to study jazz piano. He completed his Master of Music in Jazz Studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York. With that background and a good deal of success in competitions--the Lennon Award in jazz for songwriting in the jazz category for his “Escher's Staircase," his future is bright. “Escher's Staircase" is included in his second album, and the one at hand, ...

Album Review

Yuki Yamamura: View of 124

Read "View of 124" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
April 7, 2025

Japanese bassist Yuki Yamamura and his trio mates, pianist Junichiro Mataga and drummer Yosuke Nagayama, cut their teeth in Japan, studying jazz from an early age with top Japanese player-teachers. They now live in New York, soaking up and contributing to the sounds of the great city, taking in the View of 124. 124th Street that is, south end of Harlem. Their paths parallel those of generations of young jazz musicians from all over the world. Yamamura penned ...

Album Review

Junichiro Mataga: Sketches

by Jack Bowers
August 16, 2021

Sketches, the U.S. debut recording by Japanese-born, New York-based pianist/composer Junichiro Mataga, encompasses nearly an hour of genial contemporary jazz ably performed by Mataga, bassist Yoshiki Yamada and drummer Yosuke Nagayama. Even though he was quite busy as a leader and sideman in Tokyo, Mataga decided in 2019 to move to New York City to study in the jazz program at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. Since graduating, Mataga has worked as a freelance musician in ...

Award / Grant

Breakthrough Jazz Composition 'Escher’s Staircase' Wins Lennon Award

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2025

Junichiro Mataga Wins Lennon Award for “Escher’s Staircase" Jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Junichiro Mataga has won the Lennon Award in the Jazz category of the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest with his original composition, “Escher’s Staircase." The piece, which had already garnered significant attention for its innovative approach and technical brilliance, now stands as the top winner in its genre. This prestigious contest, open to songwriters worldwide, is internationally recognized for its rigorous judging process. Junichiro Mataga first triumphed ...
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“I really enjoyed this cd! The arrangements were neat and tidy and precise. The trio really knew the music and played it well, and the concept of each song was clear especially "I mean you"...my favorite. Thanks for these musical thoughts. ” (for "Sketches")

— Ron Carter, Maestro

“Sketches. This piano jazz album highlights Mataga’s excellent harmonic skill and floaty, jovial melodies. The nostalgic production lends a calming timbre to the work, making it a very pleasing listen.”