Kimiko Kasai Biography: Children, Parents, Siblings, Age, Net Worth, Husband, Ethnicity, Songs, Music Video

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Kimiko Kasai is a celebrated Japanese jazz singer known for her extensive contributions to the jazz and pop music scenes, primarily through the 1970s and 80s.

Born in Kyoto, Japan, Kasai gained popularity for her vocal collaborations with iconic jazz artists such as Gil Evans and Herbie Hancock.

Her collaborations brought her recognition beyond Japan, particularly her 1979 album “Butterfly,” recorded with Hancock, which remains a classic.

After her marriage to music producer Richard Rudolph, Kasai became part of a prominent musical lineage as the stepmother to comedian Maya Rudolph.

Profile

•   Full name: Kimiko Kasai
•   Date of birth: December 15, 1945
•   Age: 79 years old
•   Gender: Female
•   Place of birth: Kyoto, Japan
•   Nationality: Japanese
•   Profession: Jazz singer, jewelry designer
•   Height: N/A
•   Parents: N/A
•   Siblings: N/A
•   Spouse: Richard Rudolph
•   Children: Stepmother to Maya Rudolph and Marc Rudolph
•   Relationship status: Married
•   Religion: N/A
•   Ethnicity: Japanese
•   Net worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Kimiko Kasai was born on December 15, 1945, in Kyoto, Japan, and is now 79 years old. Growing up in Kyoto, she was exposed to music early on, and her particular interest in jazz sparked when she heard Chris Connor’s song “All About Ronnie” on the radio.

Kasai moved to Tokyo at the age of 16 to pursue a career in jazz singing, eventually becoming part of Tokyo’s vibrant jazz scene. Her early musical journey led her to collaborate with notable Japanese musicians, establishing her as a prominent jazz vocalist in her home country.

Personal Life

Kimiko Kasai’s personal life took a significant turn when she met Richard Rudolph, an accomplished music producer and songwriter. The two met through the music industry and married in 1990.

By marrying Rudolph, Kasai became stepmother to Maya Rudolph, a renowned actress and comedian, and her brother Marc. Since then, Kimiko and Richard have maintained a close family life, supporting each other’s artistic and business endeavors.

Kasai’s career in music eventually transitioned into a passion for jewelry design, and the couple currently resides in Los Angeles, where she continues her work in jewelry.

Career

Kimiko Kasai’s career in music began in earnest in the late 1960s in Tokyo, where she recorded her first album, “The Modern Playing Mate,” in collaboration with Yuzuru Sera.

By the 1970s, she had established herself in jazz with a series of solo albums, recording with famed jazz artists such as Mal Waldron and Teo Macero. Her collaborations with international musicians like Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, and Gil Evans further bolstered her reputation.

In 1979, Kasai collaborated with Herbie Hancock on the album “Butterfly,” which brought her international acclaim and became one of her most celebrated works.

She continued producing jazz and pop-influenced albums into the 1980s before stepping away from music to pursue a career in jewelry design in Los Angeles.

Net Worth

Kimiko Kasai’s net worth is estimated to be $8 million, accumulated through her successful music career and subsequent jewelry business. Her collaborations with prominent jazz artists contributed significantly to her financial success and her later ventures in jewelry design in Los Angeles.

Social Media

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Filmography

•   Hairpin Circus (1972) as Rie Mizukami

Discography

•   The Modern Playing Mate
•   Just Friends
•   Yellow Carcass in the Blue
•   Satin Doll
•   Umbrella
•   In Person

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