Jazz drummer Ai Murakami was born in Japan, and has been fascinated by rhythm ever since she played taiko (Japanese drums) at the age of four. When she heard Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream” for the first time, she fell in love with his music immediately and immersed herself in jazz.
She has appeared in many of New York’s renowned jazz venues, such as Smalls Jazz Club, Fat Cat, Smoke, Swing 46, and Garage Restaurant. She has also been fortunate enough to perform with many notable musicians, including legendary pianist Gil Coggins, Charles Davis, Kent Glenn, Danny Hayes, Zaid Nasser, Dwayne Clemmons, Grant Stewart, Tardo Hammer, James Sidey, Michael Kanan and many more.