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 JIA PENG-FANG
Jia Peng-Fang is a highly acclaimed Asian artist, whose specialty
is playing the Chinese traditional instrument, "Erhu."
(This instrument, as you may know, has proven to be increasingly versatile, and has been incorporated into the worlds of both pops and classics.)
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MISSA JOHNOUCHI
She has worked on composing and arrangements for TV dramas and film music since when she was studying at music University. Ms Johnouchi produced eight albums with the Orchestra du Theatre National de l' Opera de Paris from 1989. She studied in France in 1990 and conducted the Orchestra playing the symphony she wrote in 1995. She released her albums, "Asian Blossoms" and "Asian Blossoms II" and enlivened the overseas charts. In addition to her music activities, she has worked widely as a commentator and essayist. As a female Asian musician, it is hoped she will advance onto the world stage.
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TONE
TONE is a three piece musical unit which consists of Yukihiko Mitsuka (Shakuhachi), Mihoko Ono (Koto) and Ryoichi Soyama (guitar). Two of the members - Mitsuka and Soyama are from the northern Japanese island (Hokkaido), and they base many of their tunes off the whole concept of everything Hokkaido. Having appeared many times in the local Hokkaido media, they now hold concerts all over the prefecture, enjoying surge in local popularity. They are a unique mix of Japanese traditional instruments Shakuhachi, Koto and the guitar, which brings their music a gentle, soothing, and somewhat nostalgic feel that creates a perfect balance of old and new. Through their music, they express their love for their hometown, which evokes a sentimental, truly relaxing feel in the listeners.
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ERI SUGAI
Eri SUGAI is an active singer song writer and not only has she provided many artists with musical pieces and produced many CM songs, she is also very talented in expressing the beauty of the voice such as with the expression of the acapella chorus with multiplex recording.
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ANNA
Anna Sato has been singing Shimauta from the tender age of three, and has won many Shimauta contests. She marked her CD debut in 2005 from Pacific Moon Records. Since then, she has released 7 CDs, collecting international attention with her unique singing technique. Her album “Wan Shima” has been released in the United Sates also. She is the official vocalist for “Cirque Du Soleil” from 2010.
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MASAJI WATANABE
Born in Tokyo, 1957. Mr. Watanabe graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music Piano Department. He participated in Kitaro's Asian tour as a keyboard player in 1984. Since then, he has been working on stages and in studios as a player focusing on the synthesizer. He has released albums as a member of R.E.M. SWIMMING CLUB BAND from 1989. He has been working as the music director for Emiko Shiratori's concert tours since 1990, and released "PIANO GARDEN" by Pacific Garden in 2000.
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KIYOSHI YOSHIDA
Kiyoshi Yoshida majored in contemporary arrangement and film scoring at the Berklee College of Music. Upon his return to Japan in 1987, he became involved in composing various types of music, including sound tracks and commercial scores as a synthesizer operator and producer. In 1999, he released "ASIAN DRUMS" in sixteen countries including Japan. It won him high acclaim, particularly in the U.S. "ASIAN DRUMS II" came next and was followed by "UBUD" and "UBUD DUA" which he produced with his own band. He has composed sound tracks for NHK TV programs such as "Nihonjin Harukana Tabi" (Japanese on Distant Travels), "Ningen Dokyumento (Human Document)" and "Toukuni Arite Nipponjin" (Japanese in Distant Lands). In 2005 at the Aichi Expo, he directed the music for Kansai Yamamoto's opening act "TOBUZO" (Let's Fly! Festival of Life) In 2006, he was in charge of the music for the film, "Toki o Kakeru Shojo" (The girl who leapt through time) released in the summer of 2006. In 2007, he worked as the music director for the Kansai Yamamoto's KANSAI SUPER SHOW "TAIYO NO FUNE" (The Sun Ship)
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BONTEN
“Bonten” means “the origins of the universe” in Sanskrit, the historical language which was widely used in Asia in ancient?medieval times. Bonten is a group of male and female traditional Japanese Taiko drummers, head by leader, Masataka Kobayashi. Their objective is to express colorful, universal atmospheres through their music. Their first stage appearance happened in 2000, and they have been introducing original pieces ever since. They freely use the Japanese traditional instrument Wadaiko, adding other instruments such as Shinobue (Japanese flute), Koto, and keyboards to create their unique music style. The eloquent energy of their music shakes the bodies of the listeners, and takes them to a deep, emotional state.
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NAOYUKI ONDA
Demonstrating talent as a musician since his high school days, Mr. Onda began his professional music activities when he studied at university. Up to the present, he has worked on many pieces for pop artists as a keyboard player, arranger and composer. His sounds, created with comfortable rhythms, describe a tender and calm world. He released the albums “Dream” in 1999 and "WINGS IN THE DAWN" in 2001 on the Pacific Moon label. They were well regarded overseas.
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SHAO RONG
After graduating from the university, she joined The National Shanghai Folk Band as a soloist. She won "The Artistic Excellence Prize" at the Shanghai Art Festival. Then in order to experience a fresh environment for her music, she chose Japan. She became a student of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. After graduation, she performed as a soloist for The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in the performance of "Marco Polo" composed by Tan Dun, and invited to the Pan Pacific Music Festival, she played her lute, giving her first performance for "The Cocerto of Lute and String Orchestra" also composed by Tan Dun, winning world-wide attention. At the present she is based in Tokyo and is active on stages all over the world, performing in concerts in Asia, America and Europe.
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JIANG XIAO-QING
Born in Beijing. She received special education on the Gu Zheng from when she was very young, and studied under famous Gu Zheng players including Liu Wei-Shan, Xiang Si-Hua, Fan Shang-E, Zhang Yan and Cao Zheng from when she was eight. She won the first prize, the 'Gold Prize' at the Chinese youth folk instrument solo contest, and she entered The Chinese National Central Conservatory of Music at fifteen. She met Mr. Ryuichi Sakamoto after she came to Japan, and joined him on the sound track of "The Last Emperor" which won an Academy Award for music. She played in his concerts in Japan and the U.S.A., and is highly regarded.
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UTTARA-KURU
The unit, UTTARA-KURU was conceived by Seiichi Kyoda and Kazumasa
Yoshioka, who have combined their talents to create innovative
new sounds, blending ancient Buddhist sutras with house music.
As a result, the sutras, which are a few thousand years old,
have been given new life in the form of club music.
UTTARA-KURU is synonymous with "Shangri-La" in Buddhist
terminology.
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SUSUMU UEDA
Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Music Department, majoring in composition. He was chosen to be the, 'Agency for Cultural Affairs Artist Domestic Trainee' for fiscal year 1980, and completed a profound study in Tokyo. He works in a wide range of fields as a composer and arranger, creating works including the Nagano Olympics official song, "WINTER FLAME", and the music performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Asian Games in Hiroshima, as well as works for TV programs, commercials and the stage, background music for images, and publishing music scores.
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MIZUYO KOMIYA
Mizuyo’s mother taught her to play the Koto from a very young age.
After graduating High School, she attended the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory in Boston to study contemporary music, ethnic music, and improvisation among others.
After returning to Japan, she has led an active musical career, producing CDs and holding live concerts.
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SORMA
SORMA is a group of five composers from different genres,
who have come together to blend the sounds of traditional Asian
folk music with the newest rhythm melodies.Each is active in his
own field as producer, composer, and arranger.
The group is presently performing live in clubs, in addition to
releasing this new album
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JALAN JALAN
A musical unit lead by frontman Yasufumi Yamashita, Jalan Jalan takes its name from the Indonesian word meaning "a walk". Their music expresses the free-spirited, relaxing feeling which one feels when taking a walk, using the Bali Gamelan. The Gamelan is often played in an exciting, fantastic style, but Jalan Jalan construct their music by mixing sound-clips of Bali songs recorded on the island, Gamelan, and sounds of bugs and birds, creating a warm, relaxing atmosphere which holds the mysteriousness of Bali.
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F.A.B
F.A.B is a musical unit lead by keyboardist and composer/arranger Seiichi Kyoda. They are known for their unique vibe incorporating Buddhist Chants as a musical motif.
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HAE
HAE is a musical unit lead by keyboardist and composer/arranger Seiichi Kyoda. Their musical style is a touch of ocean breeze from Okinawa, the southern islands of Japan known for its crystal blue waters and untouched nature.
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UBUD
Pianist and composer/arranger, Kiyoshi Yoshida and Guitarist and composer/arranger Shigeyoshi Kawagoe formed their musical unit UBUD in 2001. They released their first CD the same year.
UBUD is the name of a village on the island of Bali, which is a haven for many artists who fell in love with the island.
They craft their unique sounds, adding guitar and synthesizers to traditional instruments such as the Indonesian Gamelan. Their tranquilizing music is an instant trip to the distant, relaxing ocean side paradise, sweeping the listeners away from the city confusion.
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HIROSHI NAGASHIMA
Nagashima is a multi-dimensional musician who plays in live performances of popular music, rock, and world music, and also as a studio musician in various recording sessions, and an arranger, also. He has released his Oud solo album from Pacific Moon Records in 2007.
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