Hiroko Nishikawa -saxophonist and composer

I started playing the Electone at the age of 5 and switched to the piano at 8. Inspired by a saxophone player I saw on TV, I knew early on that I wanted to become a saxophonist.

At 17, I finally got my hands on the instrument. After graduating from high school, I entered the Jazz Course of the Instrumental Department at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, where I studied under Bob Zung. There, I not only developed my technique but also gained the mental resilience and creativity essential for a professional musician.

Following my graduation, I participated in a jazz festival in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake. That experience profoundly deepened my musical drive and led me to pursue further studies in Europe.

In 2012, I studied at Performers House in Denmark and then relocated to Sweden in 2013. Since 2017, I have been working as a full-time freelance musician, performing and collaborating both in Sweden and internationally.

Notable past collaborations include:

• Doug Morter– Legendary British folk-rock guitarist and producer (Hunter Muskett, The Albion Band, Magna Carta)

• Alan Thomson– Longtime bassist for John Martyn and member of the Martin Barre Band

• Putte Snitt– Swedish drummer known for work in both jazz and popular music scenes

• Kalle Moraeus– Renowned Swedish violinist and entertainer (from Orsa Spelmän and BAO with Benny Andersson)

• Maia Hirasawa– Swedish-Japanese pop singer-songwriter

• Pelle Lindström– Swedish roots/blues harmonica player

Prize and scholorship

2019 Mora Municipality Cultural Scholarship

2023 The Music Foundation G-klaven in Dalarna's  cultural Scholorship

Band

Jazz Quartet: Neiro

Balkan/Gypsy-band: Tibble Transsibiriska.