Kimiko Kasai

Kimiko Kasai (笠井 紀美子) (born December 15, 1945) is a retired Japanese jazz singer.

Kimiko was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1945.

She first became interested in jazz at the age of 13 after hearing Chris Connor's song "All About Ronnie" on the radio.

At age 16 she moved to Tokyo and started performing in jazz clubs.

Her first recording was with Japanese pianist Yuzuru Sera in 1968

Kimiko's first album as a solo artist was entitled Just Friends in 1970.

In the following year, Kimiko sang the advertising jingle of "Cup Noodles," a brand of the world's first instant cup noodle ramen.

In June 1972, she signed on an exclusive contract with CBS/Sony, and recorded Satin Doll with support of Gil Evans during Evans' first visitation to Japan.

Later she recorded many albums in collaboration with musicians in the jazz field, such as Teo Macero, Lee Konitz, Stan Getz, Paulinho Da Costa, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton and Herbie Hancock.

In the 1980s, Kimiko stopped performing and later moved into the jewelry design business.