About this Artist

Hailing originally from Nagasaki, Japan, KEITA OGAWA  is one of the most versatile and sought-after percussionist and drummer in New York City.

He started his music career on drum set at the age of 15.

After performing regularly in Tokyo for several years, Keita decided to pursue his musical studies overseas. He was accepted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music in fall of 2005 where he studied with legendary musicians and educators Manuel “Egui” Castrillo, Jamey Haddad, Tito De Gracia, David Rosado, and Mark Walker. Seeking full immersion into the world of Brazilian percussion, Keita relocated to Rio de Janeiro for 3 months and studied with the some of the country's most respected musicians- Jorginho do Pandeiro, Celsinho Silva, Kiko Freitas, and Marcio Bahia among others.

Since his arrival in America, Keita has performed with some of the biggest names in modern music including Yo-yo-ma, Assad Brothers, Romero Lubambo, Clarice Assad, Terri Lyne Carrington, Osvaldo Golijov, Alisa Weilerstein, Gustavo Dudamel, Danilo Perez, Benny Green, Dominick Farinacci, Cyro Baptista, Jamey Haddad, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Gretchen Parlato, Eric Harland, Tiger Okoshi, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and more.

Keita can virtually play any percussion instrument and musical style with fluency and unparalleled musicality. Despite his youth, he has set an example for the next generation of world-class musicians. Keita's passion for crossing musical borders and uniting differences in cultures is a rare talent which he exhibits with a smile and an open heart.