Nanako – Jazz Musician

Nanako is a multi-instrument jazz musician originally hailed from Japan who performs regularly around Christchurch. She is a jazz pianist/vocalist who also plays the flute, trumpet, guitar, ukulele, and all other percussion instruments. She is a regular face for Jazz Festival, Big Band Festival, and Arts Festival in New Zealand. Various groups she performs in are ‘The Garden City Big Band’, NZ, own All Girl Big Band, jazz quartet “The Nocturnal” and and “The Garden City Combo“, jazz trio “The Organic Jazz Band” , and solo piano. 

Nanako works as an accompanist, composer, arranger, choir director, vocal coach, conductor and musical director(MD). Her compositional and arrangements work, click HERE.

She accompanied four amazing top jazz singers, Jennine Bailey, Tessa Quayle, Toni Randle, and Courtenay Washington, at the Jazz Festival in 2012 at the Women in Jazz.

“Be prepared to swing with the Divas during an evening of sultry smooth jazz presented by some of New Zealand’s top female jazz talent. In this concert, Tessa Quayle, Toni Randle and Courtenay Washington join Christchurch’s very own jazz chanteuse, Jennine Bailey in tribute to the wonderful women in jazz. In turn, our four leading ladies will take to the stage to express their admiration and respect for the women who paved the way and influenced their personal journey into the world of jazz. This concert will feature stunning performances of Feeling Good, Skylark, New York State of Mind, Lullaby of the Leaves, and much more. An incredible musical event that is not to be missed!” Jennine Bailey (vocals), Tessa Quayle (vocals), Toni Randle (vocals), Courtenay Washington (vocals), Rachael Treveille (sax), Nanako Sato (piano), Michael Story (bass), Andy Keegan (drums). – Press Release –

She was a member of one of New Zealand’s premier corporate, wedding and function eight-piece cover bands ‘Studio 54‘. The band performed at the New Year’s Eve countdown band in 2010 in Cathedral Square.

Nanako was a former accompanist for the Ariana Tikao group and toured all around New Zealand (Wahine Toa Tour in 2010) as well as appeared in the Christchurch Arts Festival in 2009 Ariana Tikao’s show “Ōhāki”. Follow the links to view a couple of Ariana’s original compositions performed at the festival: Rainbow, Tuia and Korakorako.

“Review from Harbour Light Theatre show: Unique styles to enjoy (The Press, 22 May 2010, Page 17) by Chris Pole. Hannah Howes and Ariana Tikao have combined their talents to tour New Zealand together through May and June, taking in many smaller towns. Beginning last night in Christchurch, they opted for the cosy confines of Lyttelton, bringing their unique styles to the atmospheric Harbour Light Theatre. Both artists fleshed out their songs with keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Ben Lemi Wood and Nanako Sato, who opened proceedings with four songs of her own.” Chris Pole – The Press

“Christchurch singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Nanako Sato, whose talents on the keyboards are undeniable, matches those skills to her formidable, smoky voice. …her funky lounge and jazz-tinged sounds fitted nicely in with those of her fellow performers, her songs blooming with Ben Wood’s percussion and drumming talents, his brushwork giving a delicate touch to her material.” SFBH, Wellington 30th May 2010 Amanda Mills – NZ Musician

Nanako is a PhD Candidate at the University of Canterbury(final year). Her research focuses on improving music literacy for students with dyslexia. The thesis title is “Improving Music Literacy for Students with Dyslexia”, and she focused on neurodiversity and music literacy connections. She is one of the finalists of Thesis in 3 in 2022 and 23 in the PhD cohort at UC. In addition to her current research, she also holds an M.Mus in Composition, where she focused on combining jazz and classical world  “Juxtaposition”, a B.Mus (Hons.) from the University of Canterbury, majoring in jazz piano performance and composition, Dip. In Teaching and Learning from College of Education, B.Mus from the University of Canterbury and CPIT Jazz School combined degree majoring in jazz piano performance.

Nanako has worked as a translator in the film and music industry: Dororo (2007), Hayley Sings Japanese Song 2 (2009).

Nanako is a keen educator who teaches in the secondary education sector as well as she produces tutorial videos for instruments online. She also has a Japanese tutorial website.