Riko Shimatani was born in Osaka Japan, as a child she always dreamed of becoming an actress who would one day appear in musicals. At an early age she started taking ballet and Tap lessons.

 The Wizard of Oz, Chorus Line, & Mary Poppins were the first films that inspired her to sing and at the age of 18 Riko started taking lessons with Naoteru Nabeshima (who is considered to be one of Japan's greatest vibraphone players).

 Riko Shimatani's influences are Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Elling, Norah Jones and Bille Holiday.

 Her original and unique voice has given her the opportunity to perform at many festivals, clubs and hotels in Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai, Tokyo and Kobe. Riko has performed at the Billboard Osaka Festival, Minami Jazz Walk Festival and on the NHK TV show.

She also has been the main house singer of St. Regis Hotel Osaka in Japan for 2years and 6months.