12th [Mon.] 18:00 - 20:00 / Marunouchi Building Hall Director : TAMURA Mitsuo [Music Producer] In part one, I will be introducing 'AlayaVijana', a group of young musicians exploring the contemporary possibilities of instruments of ethnic groups in Asia. In part two, having opened the 'Sounds of Japan Festival' in a sake brewery in Aizu-wakamatsu City, the group of master sake brewers from the Nanbu domain, a vocalist, several musicians and a dancer will come to Tokyo to perform in a theatre for the opening of the Tokyo Performing Arts Market. If, in the musician's distinct style and master brewers' song, we can find inspiration in forms neither from the east nor west, then we will have created the sense of a euphoric waking dream. I hope you enjoy the fresh and yet nostalgic world music of 'Japanese music today'. Sizzle Ohtaka [singer] From the age of 7, Ootaka was taught classical music, and was later influenced by jazz and various ethnic music(s). In 2002, she won the World's Best Radio and Television Advertising Prize of the 'International Broadcasting Awards'. In July, she was the first Japanese participant in the Estonian Choir Festival, and will release a new album 'Repeat Performance 5~Furusato' with The Children's Choir Ellerhein next year. SAKATA Akira [Alto Saxophone/Clarinet] Born in 1945 in Kure city, Hiroshima prefecture, he formed the Tokyo based group 'Cell Division'. In 1972 he joined the Yamashita Yosuke Trio of which he was a member until 1979. From 1980 he has been in the process of disbanding and reforming several groups, while staying at the forefront of the music scene. His current regular unit is 'Sakata Akira/mii'. Last autumn he released 'Red Dragonfly'. YOSHINO Hiroshi [Wood Bass] Born in Hiroshima city in 1955, he performed at Jazz Club while he studied at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and joined the group sessions of Sakata Akira, Kako Takashi, Sato Masahiko and others. At present, he is focusing on his solo work and his own group 'This world of the other world ', and while looking for the possibilities of a double bass as ethnic instruments, he is performing with several well-known international musicians. Last spring he released 'on Bass'. MATSUDA Seizan [Shakuhachi] As a member of 'Bamboo Orchestra' he has performed and conducted workshops all over Japan, and toured the United States to high acclaim. From 1993, he has been a guest performer of taiko group 'Za Ondekoza' together with whom he has performed over 1000 concerts around the world. In 2001 he became the group's leader. He has featured on jazz pianist Itabashi Fumio album 'Mix DYNAMITE' and is currently exploring the possibilities of the shakuhachi. KINOSHITA Shinichi [Tsugarujamisen] Born in Wakayama prefecture, from his earliest memories his artist parents taught him folk ballads and from age 10 they taught him to play the shamisen. Presently he is exploring the possibilities of introducing new genres into orthodox tsugarujamisen playing, including electric shamisen, styles of rock, jazz, and playing with drum-players to make original work. KARAHASHI Yoshie [Flamenco] Born in Aizu-wakamatsu city, she traveled to Spain in 1996, and currently lives in Madrid. She performs as a guest in festivals and contests within and outside of Japan. In 2004, she graduated from the Alfonso University ACADE flamenco instructors' course, and teaches flamenco at the Japanese School attached to the Japanese Embassy in Madrid and others. AlayaVijana In 2004, Yoshida Daikiti (Sitar) and U-Zahaan (Tabla) and guest vocalist UA came together to release an album under the band name 'Alayavijana'. Searching for new possibilities to be found in indigenous Asian instruments, they re-formed the unit to comprise of 6 lively musicians. In 2005 they released 'AlayaVijana II'. • Director : TAMURA Mitsuo Organizer of several regional events including the 'Yamanashi Art Camp Hakushu', he has produced events for world music festivals such as Womad Festival. From February, he produced the 8 city tour of 'Agatsuma Hiromitsu, Za Ondekoza'. At the 'EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN', he has worked on the 'World People's Village', 'Love/World Exchange Festival', and 'Nippon Hana-za', as a planning, producing and general director. He is the president of Station Co., Ltd.