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Harumo Imai
She began learning to play YAMAHA Electone at the age of three. At the age of thirteen she began playing saxophone and participated in a YAMAHA Electone live performance project for teenagers hosted by YAMAHA. This event was her first experience performing at nightclubs with other musicians, playing both YAMAHA Electone and saxophone.
At sixteen, Harumo started playing mainly saxophone at nightclubs in her hometown Shiga, Japan as well as nearby Kyoto. Soon after graduating from high school, she moved to Tokyo and began performing more actively.
In 2016, She traveled to the United States to participate in the music program VIXCAMPS, hosted by legendary bass player Victor Wooten and held in Nashville, Tennessee. She learned from Victor and other world-class musicians like Bob Franceschini and Jeff Coffin.
Since 2018, She has been a part of “Ralph Rolle & The Funk Patrol” which is a Soul/Disco live project by world-renowned drummer, Ralph Rolle (Nile Rodgers & CHIC, etc.).
In 2019, she appeared with Victor Wooten on his Japan tour as a guest musician.
Presently, Harumo is playing various styles of music, including Funk, R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Jazz, etc., and also composing songs in her original way. She performs, records and tours with various artists and as a solo artist.
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Harumo Imai Band at Keystone Club

by John E Allen
Harumo Imai Band Keystone Club Tokyo, Japan December 19, 2021 The Harumo Imai Band energized the Keystone Club in Tokyo, Japan, before a lively sold-out audience. The band played two electrifying sets of music ranging from jazz, soul, R&B to rap and hip hop. The stellar band, led by the exceptionally talented saxophonist, composer, arranger, and vocalist Harumo Imai, presented a broad sonic palette of musical choices, creating a flow that blended seamlessly from ...
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