HARUKA SASAKI
Saxophonist | Multi-Woodwind Instrumentalist | Composer
Saxophonist and multi instrumentalist Haruka Sasaki, is originally from Tokyo Japan where she began playing the piano at the age of 4, and saxophone at the age of 10. She started her career as a professional musician after graduating from Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo. While she was a classical saxophone major, she took every opportunity to study Jazz, and was a member of the renowned New Tide Jazz Orchestra. During this time, she met many great musicians who influenced her musical journey.
In 2012, she had the opportunity to join Makoto Ozone feat. No Name Horses at Esplanade in Singapore as an emergency sub. As a result, her name spread throughout the community leading to opportunities with numerous large groups including the Sadao Watanabe Orchestra, the Junko Moriya Orchestra, Eric Miyashiro’s EM Band and Blue Note Tokyo All Star Jazz Orchestra, Miho Hazama’s m_unit and Jazz Orchestra, among others. Simultaneously, she continued expanding her repertoire to include musicals, studio recordings (for TV, movie, game music, anime, commercials etc), TV programing, small and large jazz and pop ensemble work, as well as live performances at a wide range of venues throughout Japan.

Photo by Edward LaRose
In 2016, after several years of career building in Japan, she decided to temporarily return her focus to studying and practicing full time, and relocated to the US. Although originally planning to stay for only one year, circumstances and opportunities eventually led to her splitting her time between Boston, Connecticut and Tokyo. By 2022, she was spending the majority of her time in Boston performing throughout New England. During this time she was a member of many local orchestra pits, as well as several Broadway National Tour stops in Boston and Providence (Funny Girl, Company, Some Like It Hot, Suffs and The Great Gatsby). She also continued to work in small and large ensembles, big bands, horn sections etc both in the studio and at live venues throughout New England, including multiple performances as both lead alto and 2nd alto with the legendary Johnny Mathis.
Through her versatility as a multi instrumentalist she has been able to experience a diverse array of beautiful music, meet countless wonderful people and see a new world, while growing as a musician and person.
[Performed with]
Sadao Watanabe Orchestra, Makoto Ozone feat. No Name Horses, Junko Moriya Orchestra, Eric Miyashiro (EM BAND & Blue Note Tokyo All Star Jazz Orchestra), Miho Hazama (m_unit & Jazz Orchestra), Johnny Mathis, Take6, Bob James, Dave Grusin, Yellow Jackets, Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Robben Ford, Ben Williams, William Kennedy, Steve Thornton, N’jasse Niang, Casey Abrams, Maiya Sykes, Haley Reinhart, Dan Gable and His Orchestra etc...
[Theater]
(US)
Boston Opera House (Funny Girl, Some Like it Hot, The Great Gatsby)
Providence Performing Arts Center (Funny Girl, Company, Some Like it Hot, Suffs, Johnny Mathis Birthday Concert)
North Shore Music Theatre (Jersey Boys, Frozen, The Wizard of Oz)
Lyric Stage Company (The Drowsy Chaperone, Hello,Dolly!)
The Cutler Majestic Theater (Sweet Charity)
The Cape Playhouse (Jersey Boys)
The Chevalier Theatre (Johnny Mathis Concert) etc...
[TV]
Daimei No Nai Ongakukai (TV Asahi)
Ongaku-no-hi (TBS)
SoundINN”S” (TBS)
MUSIC FAIR (CX)
SONGS (NHK)
Uta-con (NHK)
Nodojiman Championship (NHK)
Wanwan Pakkoro! Kyara-tomo World (NHK BS)
BS Nippon no Uta (NHK BS)
Thursday’s 8 o’clock Concert (TV Tokyo) etc…