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	Keiko Abe ( 倍圭子, April 18, 1937) is a Japanese composer and craftswoman of the marimba. Abe started playing xylophone while in elementary school in Tokyo, Japa; at the age of 13, she won a talent contest and started playing professionally on the radio. She attended the University of Tokyo where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education. In 1962, Abe and two friends founded the Xebec Marimba Trio, performing folk music. They recorded more than seven albums between 1962 and 1966. During this time, she had her own show on Japanese television, instructing students on the xylophone, as well as a radio show called "Good Morning Marimba." She also started her recording career, releasing 13 albums in five years. In 1963, the Yamaha Corporation sought out Japanese mariba players to help design their new instruments. Keiko Abe was chosen for her original and clear ideas on how marimba could be combined into ensembles. At her urging, the range of the new mariba was increased from four octaves to five, which has become the standard for soloists. She has added at least 70 compositions to the marimba repertoire, her works such as "Michi", "Variations on Japanese Children's Songs" and "Dream of the Cherry Blossoms", have become models of the marimba repertoire. In May 2021, Abe was one of 10 new members elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

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Abe Keiko 1937 - 0 (-1937)

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Keiko Abe ( 倍圭子, April 18, 1937) is a Japanese composer and craftswoman of the marimba.

Abe started playing xylophone while in elementary school in Tokyo, Japa; at the age of 13, she won a talent contest and started playing professionally on the radio. She attended the University of Tokyo where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education.

In 1962, Abe and two friends founded the Xebec Marimba Trio, performing folk music. They recorded more than seven albums between 1962 and 1966. During this time, she had her own show on Japanese television, instructing students on the xylophone, as well as a radio show called "Good Morning Marimba." She also started her recording career, releasing 13 albums in five years.

In 1963, the Yamaha Corporation sought out Japanese mariba players to help design their new instruments. Keiko Abe was chosen for her original and clear ideas on how marimba could be combined into ensembles. At her urging, the range of the new mariba was increased from four octaves to five, which has become the standard for soloists. She has added at least 70 compositions to the marimba repertoire, her works such as "Michi", "Variations on Japanese Children's Songs" and "Dream of the Cherry Blossoms", have become models of the marimba repertoire.

In May 2021, Abe was one of 10 new members elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.