Message

Nice to meet you. I’m R1SA, a pianist based in the Tokio.

I offer music in a variety of genres, tailored to suit the atmosphere of each event.

With heartfelt sincerity, I strive to deliver performances that leave a lasting impression on every guest.

Artist Biography

She began studying Electone and piano at the age of three. As a child, she participated in numerous competitions, including the Yamaha Electone Competition, receiving several awards. She also obtained her Yamaha Electone Grade 3 certification at a young age.

She later entered the Department of Creative Performance at Soai University’s Faculty of Music, where she studied composition, arrangement, and performance.

Throughout her career, she has played piano in a wide range of bands spanning genres such as jazz, Latin, rock, fusion, and pop.

In August 2015, she performed at Umeda Club Quattro as a member of the salsa band Ponte Duro, serving as the opening act for Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor, one of the most popular Cuban salsa groups.

Her performances extend across Kansai, including live houses, hotels, jazz bars, and corporate events for major companies.

In October 2015, she was a finalist in the Kobe Next Jazz live competition.

As a solo artist, she began performing under the name R1SA in 2009. She handles all aspects of her music production herself—from composing and arranging to track creation.

Blending classical, jazz, club music, progressive rock, and electronica, her innovative and powerful sound has earned recognition even from artists overseas.

In April 2017, she released her first album, Over Mind, and actively explored new genres, including collaborating with local musicians in New York through a series of sessions.

In 2018, she launched the “Risa Kobayashi Trio” project, which focuses on original compositions and progressive rearrangements of jazz standards. The trio has appeared at numerous jazz festivals and events, and is set to release its second album, Competitive, in December 2018.