Orbit | Updated: June 12, 2026
Born: April 14
Haruna Fukazawa is a New York-based flutist, improviser, composer and a voting member of the Recording Academy, originally from Tokyo, Japan, Haruna blends classical training with a bold, joyful improvisational style deeply inspired by her mentor, Frank Wess.
Haruna is a 2026 GRAMMY® Nominee in Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for “SHAYAN” by Charu Suri.
Haruna studied classical music at Musashino Academia Musicae before setting her sights on New York City, where she began studying with Frank Wess. Encouraged by him, she made the move to New York, launching a dynamic career that bridges tradition and innovation.
Since arriving in the U.S., Haruna has performed at premier venues and festivals across the country, including the Blue Note, Carnegie Hall, The Stone, The 55 Bar, The Bitter End, The Nash, and Edgefest. She had also been an integral part of Karl Berger’s Improvisers Orchestra, a six-time winner of the Downbeat critics Poll. Internationally, she made history as the first Japanese musician to perform at the Trieste Summer Rock Festival in Italy (2010). In 2024, she appeared as a guest improvising soloist with the Tango Orchestra of the National University of the Arts (Orquesta de Tango de la UNA) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Haruna is a multiple-time winner of the National Flute Association’s Jazz Flute Big Band Audition (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025) and won the NFA Professional Flute Choir Competition in 2021. She was featured as a soloist for Ali Ryerson’s composition at the NFA in 2022 and was the featured performer with her quintet at the 19th NFA Convention in 2021.
Her group, the Haruna Fukazawa Quintet, released their debut album on Summit Records in 2019, earning a spot in the Top 50 on JazzWeek’s airplay chart. That same year, she was featured on the cover of Hot House Jazz Magazine.
She also co-leads the chamber jazz trio Jazz Triangle 65-77 , which has released two albums (2017, 2021).
An advocate for free improvisation, Haruna has led workshops at the NFA Convention (2023), the New York Flute Fair (2024), and the International Low Flutes Festival (2024).
Haruna is a member of the NFA Jazz Committee, where she supports the development and education of jazz flute.
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Shirley Bassey, Yoko Miwa & Mikayla Shirley, Haruna Fukazawa
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of jazz and improvised music--vocalists Shirley Bassey, Stella Cole, and Cécile McLorin Salvant; vocalist Mikayla Shirley and pianist Yoko Miwa; vibraphonists Warren Wolf and Stefon Harris; flutist and improviser Haruna Fukazawa; pianist/composer/multi-instrumentalist Skinny Hightower; the Eclectic Maybe Band; whistle/sax/bagpipe player Fraser Fifield; and two selections featuring saxophonist Miguel Zenón.Playlist Shirley Bassey “Diamonds are Forever" from Diamonds are Forever [OST] (EMI) 2:40 Amber Weekes “Strong Man" from To Oscar with Love (Amber Inn) 5:22 ...
Continue ReadingNew Music From Haruna Fukakzawa, Cécile McLorin Salvant With The Metropole Orkest, A Limited Release From Muriel Grossmann With Tõnu Naissoo, And From The ECM Vault Guitarist Mick Goodrick With John Surman, Eddie Gomez And Jack DeJohnette
by Hobart Taylor
Haruna Fukakzawa, Black Nile, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Ezra Collective and keep an eye on composer Bill Noertker Playlist Host Speaks 00:00 Haruna Fukazawa “Hot & Spicy, Sometimes Sweet" from Plays at the Wrong Time (Orange Paw) 00:11 Larry Goldings/Peter Bernstein/Will Stewart “Penelope" fromRhombus (Smoke Sessions) 7:46 Host Speaks 13:51 Cecile McLorin Salvant “Sophisticated Lady" from With Every Breath I Take (Nonesuch) 14:44 Bill Noertker “Sad Puppets of Borgerhout" from The Antwerp Diaries (Self-Produced) 17:48 Alex Chang “Fall Jam ...
Continue ReadingHOT HOUSE Jazz Magazine (Cover and CD review)
"This album affirms that a flute-led group can be as viable as more conventional front lines”
New York Jazz Records
"For a flutist to go head-to-head with a soprano saxophone in a bop milieu takes a lot of guts and in those contexts and contests Fukazawa is exceptional
