Kimiko Kasai

(born December 15, 1945) is a Japanese retired jazz singer.

Biography Kasai was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1945. She first became interested in jazz at the age of 13 after hearing Chris Connor's song "All About Ronnie" on the radio. At age 16 she moved to Tokyo and started performing in jazz clubs. Her first recording was with Japanese pianist Yuzuru Sera in 1968

Kasai's debut album as a solo artist was entitled Just Friends in 1970. In the following year, Kasai sang the advertising jingle of "Cup Noodles," a brand of the world's first instant cup noodle ramen. and recorded Satin Doll with support of Gil Evans during Evans' first visitation to Japan.

Later she recorded many albums in collaboration with musicians in the jazz field, such as Teo Macero, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Paulinho Da Costa, Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock.

In the 1980s, Kimiko stopped performing and later moved into the jewelry design business.

Kasai married American musician Richard Rudolph in 1990 and through her marriage is the stepmother of actress and comedian Maya Rudolph.

Discography 1968: The Modern Playing Mate (Union) – Trio introducing Kimiko Kasai 1970: Just Friends (London) – Live 1971: Yellow Carcass in the Blue (TBM) – with Kosuke Mine Quartet 1971: One for Lady (Victor) – with Mal Waldron 1972: Umbrella (CBS/Sony) – works of Hiroshi Kamayatsu 1972: Satin Doll (CBS/Sony) – with Gil Evans Orchestra 1973: What’s New (CBS/Sony) 1974: In Person (CBS/Sony) – Featuring Oliver Nelson 1974: Thanks Dear (CBS/Sony) 1974: Kimiko Is Here (CBS/Sony) – with Cedar Walton Trio 1975: This Is My Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero, with Lee Konitz and Stan Getz 1976: We Can Fall in Love (CBS/Sony) – produced by Teo Macero 1977: Tokyo Special (CBS/Sony) 1978: Round and Round (CBS/Sony) 1979: Butterfly (CBS/Sony) – with Herbie Hancock. Reissued (Be With Records, 2018). 1982: Kimiko (CBS/Sony) 1982: Love Connection (CBS/Sony) 1984: Love Talk (CBS/Sony) 1984: New Pastel (CBS/Sony) 1985: Watching You (CBS/Sony) 1986: My One and Only Love (CBS/Sony) 1987: Perigo a Noite (Eastworld) 1990: Kimiko Kasai (Kitty) – with Cedar Walton Trio

Filmography Hairpin Circus (1972) as Rie Mizukami