Karen Shiraishi is a pianist and composer based in New Orleans. A recipient of the Chamber Music America Performance Plus grant, Shiraishi’s debut album, “Now I Know”, featuring Herlin Riley, is set to be released in 2026. Already having developed a self-assured, recognisable voice as a composer and improviser, her music is melodically driven, harmonically rich, and imbued with swing. She has also gained attention in the traditional music scene, appearing frequently with Shannon Powell, Kermit Ruffins, Stephen Walker and the Preservation Hall All-Stars.

Born and raised in London to Japanese parents, Shiraishi was classically trained from a young age. She fell in love with the sound of black American music as a teen, obsessively listening to Stevie Wonder and Art Blakey records. She spent her formative years immersed in the vibrant London music scene, cutting her teeth under the mentorship of Julian Joseph OBE, Trevor Watkis, Byron Wallen and Tony Kofi.

She went on to study at Berklee College of Music, where she learned from the late great Ralph Peterson, Tia Fuller and NEA Jazz Masters Joanne Brackeen and Terri Lyne Carrington. Her mentors instilled in her a respect for tradition while encouraging her to develop her own voice.

Shiraishi has performed across the country and the world, including the London Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, Dizzy’s Jazz Club NY, Bern Jazz Festival, Ascona Jazz Festival, Novosibirsk Jazz Festival and more. In 2021, Shiraishi performed as leader at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and received the Countess of Munster Musical Trust Award.

Since moving to New Orleans in 2022, Shiraishi has performed at the Jazz & Heritage festival with Trumpet Mafia and Jeremy Davenport. She has established herself as a highly sought-after sideman in both the straight-ahead and traditional scene, and also performs her original music solo and with her trio.