Art Hirahara Quartet | Modern Jazz from New York

About

New York-based pianist Art Hirahara makes his debut at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club, bringing his acclaimed quartet for an evening of dynamic, deeply expressive jazz. Praised by DownBeat Magazine for his “effortless grace,” Hirahara’s playing blends lyrical beauty with a ferociously swinging energy. Expect a captivating set of original compositions, reimagined standards and boundary-pushing improvisation, as the quartet moves seamlessly from intimate, melodic moments to bold, rhythmically charged explorations. This is contemporary jazz at its most vibrant and compelling. Art Hirahara is a New York-based jazz pianist and composer whose music bridges tradition and innovation. From early studies in improvisation and composition, he developed a unique voice shaped by both classical foundations and global influences. A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the California Institute of the Arts, Art studied with leading figures including David Roitstein, Charlie Haden and Wadada Leo Smith. His musical journey has also taken him deep into world traditions, exploring West African rhythms, Balinese gamelan and North Indian tabla. He has performed internationally across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East, and collaborated with renowned artists including Stacey Kent, Freddy Cole, Dave Douglas, Vincent Herring and Rufus Reid. His work reflects a fearless approach to jazz, combining technical mastery with emotional depth and adventurous spirit.