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Performers
"Trapezium"
Members : Emiko Kai (p), Yasuko Nakatani (vo), Akimichi Yamada (b),
Kimihiro Yoshio (ds)
"Teach Me Tonight", an album by Kai, Nakatani and Yamada, featuring
songs about the Moon and stars was released on October 1, 2000.
After the album release, the group members, wanting to continue to
produce music about space and stars, joined up with Masami Okyudo
(chief astronomer of the Misato Observatory). Trapezium is the name
of a
beautiful group of 4 stars in the large star cloud of the Orion
constellation. |
Profile
Emiko Kai : Piano, Composition, Arrangement
In her third year in high school she formed a piano trio and performed
live house concerts. In the 70's she was back-up vocalist to the Jazz
great Martha Mitaku. Her feminine, detailed interpretation of standard
jazz numbers and sharp rythmic touch on the piano produce a unique and
dazzling result. As a result of her deep knowledge of standard songs,
superb interpretation and enthusiasm, she is relied on heavily by vocalists.
She has long been interested in composition and has written a large number
of original pieces, in addition to releasing many albums. She has also
provided the theme music for NHK's broadcast of the Wimbleton Tennis tournament.
Yasuko Nakatani : Vocals
A graduate of the Bukogawa Women's University music department vocalist
course and post-graduate course. After post-graduate studies she began
a performing career in hotels and live houses. At present she is performing
live concerts in the western Japan region, centered around Osaka. She
is studying classical music and her beautifully polished, clear and high
voice, combined with her energetic style make her an extremely valuable
member of the Japanese vocalist society. Her beautiful, soothing sound
is gathering attention from all quarters as a new page in jazz history.
Terumichi Yamada :Bass
Started playing bass in the jazz club while studying at Terumichi Waseda
University. As a member of the NHK orchestra he learned about performing
classical music from Michio Setogawa abd Teruhiko Saito. He has belonged
to many groups including, Kaoru Suzuki's Soul Family, Spic & Span, the
Hidehiko Matsumoto Quartet, the Kunihiko Kano Trio and the Yo Tokuyama
Trio. From standard jazz, to classic and folk music he performs a wide
range of music.
Yoshio Kimihiro : Drums
Born in Sapporo. Professional Debut in "J&B" jazz club, Roppongi, Tokyo.
Has performed with Shigeharu Mukai iTrbjand Yasuaki Shimizu
iSaxj etc. Has played with Mari Nakamoto and Spic & Span,
and Kimiko Ito•ESP. Numerous appearances on TV Asahi's "Unnamed
musical society" program. Also, has recorded new music and popular music
with Hatsumi Shibata, Yoko Moriyama, Takao Kisugi and others. As a composer
and arranger has used his considerable talents to produce a wide range
of music forNHK's "J-League Digest", theme music, commercials and video.
About "Tears of Eos"
Composition - Emiko Kai, Words - Ruriko Sadsuka
"Eos" is the Greek god of the dawn. According to the ancient Greeks, when
Eos rides across the sky dawn breaks. This song has previously been released
by Emiko Kai as an instrumental piece but to accompany the dawn lunar
eclipse words have been added. To borrow Emiko Kai's words, "My image
is that Eos' tears symbolize love, sadness and gentleness. The final words
chasing the dreams and love to get eternal happiness symbolize wrapping
love and dreams in an orange organgie cloth and streaming it in the wind,
while chasing the dawn sky on a white horse, in order to obtain eternal
love.
Profile : Ruriko Sadsuka
Born in Shizuoka. After graduating from university she studied in
England. After that she travelled back and forth between Japan and England
before becoming an admirer of Russell. She then studied philosophy and
poetry at Exeter Unviversity. In 1994 she returned to Japan and while
working at a foreign-affiliated company started studying jazz vocals.
About three years ago she started composing lyrics herself. At present
she is studying and jazz vocals.
About
the song release
The lyrics were completed and checked in the middle of December. At
present practice is being conducted with the aim of recording in early
January.
It is planned to release the song onto the Internet for the first time
on the day of the eclipse. After the Internet broadcast it is planned
to combine this song with some others and release a mini album.
Related
Links
Information about the album "Teach me tonight"can be found at http://www.lyra-records.com/
Sample sound data file http://www.lyra-records.com/
Trapezium http://dojima.com/trapezium/
Emiko Kai http://www.threeweb.ad.jp/~live/kai.htm
Yasuko Nakatani@http://yakko.org/
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Iwao
Junko Profile
Singer, Voice actress
As a primary school student she was first inspired by "Tsubasa o kudasai"
by Red Bird and later influenced by Red Bird, Yumi Arai, Mariya Takeuchi
and others.
As a popular voice actress she has appeared in numerous productions, as
a program narrator and in commercials.
At the same time, as a singer she has released 5 original albums, 10 singles
and 1 live album.
She has toured all over Japan and performed in live houses.
In 2000 at the beginning of the year she performed at the Shibuya Public
Hall and then at the Hibiya outside concert stadium. After this she released
her 5'th album in December, continuing her busy musical schedule.
Production
: Starboard Music
Birthplace : Oita Prefecture, Beppu City
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The
album "Canary"
2000
was a very fruitful year for Junko Iwao. She established her existence
as a vocalist able to accompany
majestic strings with "Scarlet", showed an unexpected face with her first
original composition as a song writer in "Boku o waratte", did a cover
for Hiroaki Igarashi's
"Deep Purple" etc etc.
Finally, in "Canary" she welcomed Hiroaki Igarashi and Haruka Aiso as
lyricists and composers. With a combination of a sometimes polished
and gentle and sometimes strong voice she displays a caleidescope
of Asian, Latin and contemporary experiences on her musical journey. In
"Canary" Junko Iwao demonstrates the present brilliance which her remarkable
development as a vocalist has produced.
Released
for sale by by Pony Canyon (total 13 tracks)
CD : PCCA-01485@3A150 yen (tax included)/3A000
yen (without tax)
About "Lunar Eclipse"
Vocals
- Junko Iwao, Lyrics - Haruka Aiso, Composition - Minoru Kato
Included in Junko Iwao's 5'th album, "Canary"
A song about sad feelings of dying love, overlapped with the quiet and
peace of moonlight.
Related Links
Junko
Iwao's official site ttp://www.iwao.net/iwao/
Special site for celebrating the release of "Canary"http://www.ponycanyon.co.jp/iwao/
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