Curiously, for some reason, I feel that the uniquely Japanese aesthetic senses of "transience" and "impermanence" seem to be somehow connected to jazz. Spontaneously produced improvisations are only for the moment, and they evaporate into the air as soon as they are produced. It is reminiscent of the Japanese Zen teaching of "the aesthetics of imperfection." I want my music to flow as naturally as “Sumi-e” (Japanese ink- brush paintings). - Atzko Kohashi 
 (Profile) Atzko Kohashi, currently residing in Amsterdam, is a Japanese born pianist with international background. She started her classical piano studies during childhood and has been improvising and composing since. From 1994 to 2001 she lived in New York, where she studied with jazz master Steve Kuhn. Atzko has thus experienced three different cultures: Japanese, American and European. Such multicultural background has surely influenced her view on music and led to her unique musical style. Whilst her musical root lies in Jazz, she adapts the melodies to her own voice. She has been working with various Dutch musicians and released a series of duo and trio albums with them. Her latest album "Crescent" playing a duo with bassist Tony Overwater, was nominated Dutch Edison Award (National category) 2022 and Der Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. 
 "Still waters run deep; These words certainly apply to Atzko Kohashi, a pianist who is obsessed with sound, color, and atmosphere." ― Erno Elsinga, Jazzenzo