Hiroki Ito’s passion for drumming took him across the Pacific in 1998 to study at the prestigious New York Drummers Collective, where he honed his skills under renowned instructors like Ian Froman and Kim Plainfield. In 2000, Ito set his sights on Tokyo; his talent was quickly recognized joining the Kenichi Nishio Group where he played a vital role in their debut album GO AHEAD, HAVE FUN and subsequent national tour. In 2005, he collaborated with jazz legend Isao Suzuki in his OMASOUND project, participating in nationwide tours and recordings. He also showcased his versatility with the release of FIRE LAND alongside the Kazuhiko Okumura trio and Noboru Ando. His international exposure continued in 2009 with a Japan tour alongside New York-based pianist Kuni Mikami. In 2010, Ito decided to return to his hometown, Sapporo, where he remains active in the music scene with his own group and the S-ICD Crab Band led by Yuji Akita.