Listen To Karen Shiraishi’s Mystical New Single “Asphodel Waltz”
On June 16th 2026, pianist and 2025 Chamber Music America award recipient Karen Shiraishi released her newest single “Asphodel Waltz”. Inspired by the asphodelus flower which appears in the Greek underworld, she was moved to write the song upon hearing her mother recount a near-death experience where she visited the Asphodel Meadows. This haunting, mystical and soulful track features the legendary drummer Herlin Riley, and is the third single from her upcoming debut album.
Reveals a darker side to Shiraishi’s compositional voice, and her solo is
Lineup:
Karen Shiraishi - piano
Herlin Riley - drums
Julian Lee - tenor saxophone
Andrew Baham - trumpet
Max Moran - upright bass
Short Bio
Karen Shiraishi is a British-Japanese pianist and composer based in New Orleans. A recipient of the 2025 Chamber Music America Performance Plus Award, her debut album, “Now I Know” is set to be released in fall 2026 and features legendary drummer Herlin Riley. Already having developed a recognisable voice as a composer and improviser, her music is melodically driven, harmonically rich and imbued with effervescent swing. Deeply rooted in tradition while carving out a fresh self assured sound, she appears frequently alongside New Orleans greats like Shannon Powell, Kermit Ruffins and the Preservation All-Stars. Equally sought-after in the straight-ahead scene, Shiraishi has established herself as one of the most in-demand pianists in the city. She is one of the founding members of the “Cuttin’ Up” session on Tuesdays at Vaughan’s Lounge, which has become a cultural hub for a new generation of young musicians.