Rumi Abe Quartet

About

Kasey Knudsen | sax John Wiitala | bass Akira Tana | drums Rumi Abe | piano Bio: Rumi Abe is a Japanese jazz pianist based in San Francisco. She maintained an active performance career in Tokyo, appearing in over 200 performances annually and releasing her debut trio album in 2022. She studied music theory and composition at Yamaha Music School, and has also studied with pianists Fumio Karashima and Josh Nelson, experiences that have significantly shaped her musical voice. Since relocating to the Bay Area in fall 2024, she has been active presence in the local jazz scene, performing at venues throughout Northern California as both a bandleader and collaborator. Her playing combines lyricism, swing, and melodic storytelling, drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of jazz while maintaining a fresh and personal voice.