Karen Shiraishi is a Japanese-British pianist and composer. Classically trained from a young age, Karen fell in love with the sound of jazz at age 14. She spent her teenage years immersed in the vibrant London jazz scene, honing her craft under the mentorship of UK jazz luminaries Julian Joseph OBE, Trevor Watkis, Byron Wallen and Tony Kofi.

Karen went on to study at Berklee College of Music, where she learned from legendary musicians Ralph Peterson, Tia Fuller, and NEA Jazz Masters JoAnne Bracken and Terri Lyne Carrington. During her time at Berklee, she performed at the DC Jazz Festival and Dizzy’s Jazz Club NY as part of Ralph Peterson’s GenNext Big Band (2021 Downbeat Rising Star Big Band Award winner); Bern Jazz Festival as part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s Jazz and Gender Justice Institute; and the Novosibirsk Jazz Festival in Russia. In 2021, she performed as leader at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and received the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award.

After graduating, Karen moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she has recorded music with Donald Harrison Jr, Herlin Riley and Shannon Powell. She performs with Trumpet Mafia at the Royal Frenchmen Hotel, and with Kermit Ruffins at his iconic Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge.

She is a gifted composer with a recognisable sound, deeply influenced by the work of Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder, and Esperanza Spalding. A memorable arranger, she has written for various ensemble sizes, from solo piano to a full 16-piece big band.