Aiko is a Sacramento jazz singer. As a graduate student in the mid-1980s, she developed a passion for jazz while working as a jazz DJ at her university’s radio station. Following this exposure, and after singing jazz for a few years, she began her own journey in developing as a singer/songwriter guitarist, drawing from her life experiences and broad sweep of musical influences. After a few decades of performing as a singer/songwriter (she still occasionally plays her original music), she now mainly performs as a jazz singer at local venues in the Sacramento area. She also hosts a jazz jam session in Roseville for young aspiring musicians, while also serving as a mentor.
Cassandra Wilson, Betty Carter, Abby Lincoln, Chet Baker, Arto Lindsay, Joni Mitchell, Shirley Horn, Dina Washington, Billie Holiday, Monica Salmaso, and Karrin Allyson are among Aiko’s most significant vocal touchstones, and she continues to discover newer artists to be inspired by. Aiko’s approach is a more restrained tone that deliberately avoids typical jazz inflections and sometimes the over-emoting mannerisms often associated with the genre. She strives to remain genuine and authentic to her own unique singing style. Most of Aiko’s musical career has taken place in Seattle, where she spent 20 years of her life in her 30s and 40s performing her own music. Some of the musicians she has worked with include Bill Frisell, Robin Holcomb, Hans Teuber, and many more. Bill Frisell appeared on her 2001 album on John Zorn’s Tzadik label as a guest musician, and she toured on the East Coast with Robin Holcomb/Wayne Horvitz in 2003.
In 2008, the world-renowned pianist Jessica Williams asked Aiko to share the stage to collaborate on some tunes. She has also played, recorded, and collaborated with NY bassist and one of her mentors, Lonnie Plaxico (who has played with jazz greats such as Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Jack DeJohnette, Cassandra Wilson, and many more). Currently, Aiko enjoys playing with Sacramento jazz musicians of all kinds, interpreting songs from the deep jazz catalog. She lately has especially enjoyed working with Sac State students, and frankly with anyone else who wants to play, because, first and foremost, she loves nothing more than interacting with other musicians.
