Kei Akagi

Kei Akagi is a distinguished Professor of Music at the University of California, Irvine, where he directs the Jazz Studies program. A renowned pianist and composer, he has been a pivotal figure in the international jazz scene for over two decades, most notably as a member of the Miles Davis band in the late 1980s. His career spans collaborations with jazz legends such as Stanley Turrentine, James Newton, and Al DiMeola.

• Specialization: Jazz Studies, Jazz Composition, Piano Performance
• Academic Rank: Professor
• University: University of California, Irvine
• Contact: kakagi@uci.edu

Akagi earned his B.A. from International Christian University, Tokyo. His research interests revolve around Jazz Studies, with a focus on composition, improvisation, and piano techniques. His discography reflects a deep exploration of Jazz Composition, Piano Trio Dynamics, and Collaborative Performance across decades of innovation and cross-cultural exchange.