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Biography
Maki Asakawa (Japanese: 浅川マキ, Asakawa Maki; January 27, 1942 – January 17, 2010) was a Japanese jazz and blues singer, lyricist, and occasional actress.
Born in Mikawa, Ishikawa Prefecture (now Hakusan), after graduating high school she worked as a civil servant for a short time before moving to Tokyo. Particularly influenced by the styles of Mahalia Jackson and Billie Holiday, Asakawa began her career singing at US Army bases and at various cabarets. She made her debut recording, "Tokyo Banka/Amen Jiro" with Victor in 1967. After appearing in a series of concerts organized by underground playwright Shuji Terayama in 1968, she signed with Toshiba, presently EMI Music Japan, and released the popular songs, "Yo ga Aketara" and "Kamome" in 1969. Her debut album, "Asakawa Maki no Sekai", was released in 1970.
