Meet Tomo Osako, Our Piano Player

Tomo Osako’s path to Sabrosas Latin Orchestra is full of interesting twists. Growing up in Japan, she started out playing piano and violin, but her real love for salsa music began on the dance floor. After a long break from playing piano, she rediscovered her passion for it and took on the challenge of learning salsa piano. Her story is a fun reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, especially when music is involved.


When did you first start playing music, and what drew you to the piano and violin?

I started playing piano at age 3, forced by my mother, like every other Asian girl. I began to play the violin at age 12 when we moved to Seattle, WA since we could not afford a piano. The middle school I attended rented out violins for free. I don’t remember exactly what drew me to the violin, but I remember liking both upright bass and violin. I chose the violin because of its portability.

How did your early experiences with music shape your journey as a musician?

Even though neither of my parents played any instruments, they had a lot of passion for music and we listened to music all the time (classical, jazz, rock, pop). Also starting to play piano at an early age, I think I developed a good ear which made it so much easier for me to pick up the violin.

Can you describe your personal connection to salsa music and what it means to you?

I remember being attracted to Latin music even when I was growing up in Japan. There’s something in the beats and the chords in salsa that really evoke emotions in me.

What was your introduction to salsa music and dance in Japan in 2002?

My friend took me to a salsa club one time and I started dancing salsa. I was not too crazy about salsa music at first, but as I fell in love with dancing and met my former partner who introduced me to salsa music and its history, I eventually fell in love with the music as well.

Can you share your experiences translating at the Japan Salsa Congress and how that influenced your connection to salsa?

I volunteered to be a translator at the 2002 Japan Salsa Congress and met some salsa gurus such as Albert Torres, Maya, Edie the Salsa Freak, Edwin Rivera, etc. Meeting them in person and seeing them dance was a great experience which reinforced my passion for dancing. (Although I barely had time to dance since I volunteered till 3 am!) 

What are some similarities and differences between the salsa scene in Japan and the scene in San Diego?

I don’t know about the scene there now, but when I started dancing in Japan, there were way more women than men in the salsa scene. I wonder if that’s because the dance is seen as “not a manly thing to do” in Japan. But the social aspect is similar; people love dancing. 

How did you become a member of Sabrosas Latin Orchestra, and what inspired you to join?

I went out dancing one night and saw one of Sabrosas’ original members, Janet Murray Thornton (our conga player). She remembered I played violin and was nice enough to invite me to one of the band’s rehearsals. I took up the offer, went to the rehearsal, and the rest is history. I’m not even sure if I did a good job of playing on that first day (since salsa music typically doesn’t usually require violin, I made things up), but they kept me!

What was it like to dive back into playing piano after a 30-year hiatus?

So I originally joined Sabrosas as a violin player  and chorus singer. One day, our piano player decided to leave the band and I asked the leader if I could try playing the salsa piano since that was my long-time dream. Because I didn't have training specifically in salsa piano, I pretty much listened to each song, made notes of what I heard, and started playing that way. I don’t necessarily have a big hand, and I can barely touch an octave, so I remember having pain every night, to the point that I thought I had to quit. But applying Icy Hot at night and playing more helped. I still struggle with my finger movement, but I think I’m getting better and I hope to get even better from the lessons I'm taking!

As a female musician, what has your experience been like in the salsa community and as part of an all-female band?

Fortunately, I have not had any bad experiences playing in any band because of my gender, even with my coed salsa band. But being in an all-female salsa band feels amazing! Everyone in the band is a well-versed, kind, and talented musician, and I feel very fortunate to play with all of them. (Plus many musicians in Sabrosas are better players than many coed bands I have played with!)

What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as a member of Sabrosas Latin Orchestra?

When we played for almost a thousand kids at the Classics 4 Kids concert. It was amazing to see what kind of impact our music had on kids and see their excitement watching us play.

How has being part of Sabrosas Latin Orchestra helped you grow as a musician and as a person?

Everyone’s professionalism, passion for music, and compassion inspires me to be a better player and a person. I'm especially thankful to our music director Elizabeth, for helping us grow as musicians. Her background performing in many Latin ensembles as well as being a music educator makes her the perfect fit for this role, and she always pushes us to get to the next level.

What is your future goal in playing with Sabrosas?

My future goal is to keep improving my playing and be able to improvise (not just play what's written). I believe this will make me a better musician and I will be able to play at the next level!


Tomo’s experience with Sabrosas has been all about growth and rediscovery. From dancing salsa to becoming the band’s piano player, she’s embraced each new opportunity with enthusiasm. Her journey shows that following your curiosity can lead to unexpected and rewarding places. We’re excited to see how Tomo continues to evolve as both a musician and a member of the Sabrosas family!

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Behind “Pies en la Tierra”