Born 1937 in Tokyo; the Japanese marimba virtuoso, composer and teacher Keiko Abe played a decisive part in developing the marimba into a solo concert instrument. She studied music education at Tokyo Gakugei University and built her early professional career on radio appearances in Japan. Her collaboration with Yamaha produced the modern five-octave concert marimba; at the same time she extended repertoire and playing technique through her own works, commissions and first performances. As an internationally sought-after soloist and as a teacher at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, she has shaped several generations of percussionists.
Keiko Abe
Composer
