Kiyohiko Semba & Karugamozu仙波清彦＆カルガモーズ

For the last 6 years, master percussionist Kiyohiko Semba has periodically assembled a formidable team of fellow music luminaries to create an astonishing ensemble called "Karugamozu." With over 20 percussionists as well as players on bass, violin, trumpet, and keyboard, the sheer breadth and variety of sound is unlike anything you have every heard. A truly moving and powerful performance, it leaves the listener in awe, wondering, "what on earth is happening here?!" This special 2011 year-end finale concert features an incredible array of guest artists including several former Kodo members. ##Kiyohiko Semba  The son of Koyu Semba, head master of the Semba School of Japanese traditional music, Kiyohiko Semba took up traditional drums and percussion under his father when he was just 3 years old. He made his debut on the Kabuki stage at the age of 10 and has been pursuing a career as a musician ever since. As a distinguished percussionist of deep musical capacity, Semba has developed many and diverse activities not only on the Japanese traditional music scene but also in the pop-music world and various traditional music genres. In 1999, he released his third solo album, "Semba, a Kozuchi of Rhythm" in which he exhibited his talents on 80 different percussion instruments. That same year, he formed a new group, “Unit Semba” with the talented bassists Nobou Nakahara and Benisuke Sakai, which later became "Semba Sonic Spear," releasing the group’s first album "Sonic Spear" in 2003. Nicknamed “Shiso” (master), Semba is is known throughout Japan and around the world as a true master of his craft and one the all-time great percussionists. [Homepage](http://www.3-dcorp.com/SEMBA/) & ##Karugamozu Members: Umeya Tomoe, Aoki Mikako, Izumi, Onishi Hideo, Kakishima Shinji, Gunji Kengo, Kobayashi Takefumi, Sawada Satoru, Sugawara Hayato, Choi, Jaechol, Hase Yoriaki, Bihou Naosaburo, Homma Tomoko, Murase, "chang-woo" Hiroaki, Mochizuki Hideyuki, Yamada Takayuki, Ro Kyongsun, Yamada Tomoyuki Special Guests: ##Kaoru Watanabe  A conservatory-trained classical and jazz flute player (Mahattan School of Music) who has worked with such musicians as Jason Moran and Stefon Harris, Kaoru Watanabe's approach to music underwent fundamental change while living in Japan. Over the course of nearly a decade, Kaoru studied and performed with the acclaimed taiko ensemble KODO, as well as with various master practitioners of traditional and modern Japanese arts including the great Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando. Kaoru also served as artistic director for Kodo's international music festival "Earth Celebration," working with such luminaries as Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hildago and Carlos Nunez. Parting ways with Kodo in 2006, Kaoru currently resides in NY where, along with his performance activities, he teaches at the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center, curates a music, art and dance series entitled “Nakanaka,” and will be co-teaching a course on taiko at Princeton University this fall. [Homepage](http://www.watanabekaoru.com/) ##Tetsuro Naito  Tetsuro Naito was a member of the internationally renowned Japanese drum ensemble Kodo for over 10 years, throughout which time he not only performed as a central figure on stage, but also served as a composer and artistic director. Many of his compositions were released on Kodo's CDs and continued to be performed on the stage today. In 2002, Naito left Kodo to launch a career as a solo artist. His superior technique and original sensibilities eanred him invitations to work on recordings and tours with innumerable artists including Toshiki Kadomatsu, DJ Krush, Soul Flower Union and the Yoshida Brothers. With an earnest fascination for the taiko and am unquenchable curiosity about what makes something "Japanese," Naitoh continues to explore new possibilities with this ancient instrument. In addition to his multiple solo and collaborative projects, he also directs the groups Dong Gara and ToMoRo. [Homepage](http://www.tokorohare.com/) ##Fukuoka Yutaka（YEN CHANG (Vo)  Hailing from Shimane Prefecture, Yutaka Fukuoka began playing the violin when he was three years old and formed his first band in high school. Also a composer, he has collaborated with a wide array of noted artists both at home and abroad. [Homepage](http://www.lares.dti.ne.jp/~yenchang) ##Vagabond Suzuki（B）  Japanese bassist, playing both electric and acoustic bass, active since the late 1970s. Also known as Bakabon Suzuki. [Homepage](http://www.vagabond-suzuki.net) ##Takahashi Kaori（Vln）  Kaori Takahashi grew up hearing her father play the viola and was playing the violin herself at the early age of four. She is active now as a acoustic violinist, electric violinist and viola player in myriad live projects and recordings. She has played with some of Japan's brigtest music stars including her husband Kiyohiko Semba. [Homepage](http://semba.moo.jp/KAORI) ##Tatsumi Mitsuhide（Tp）  Tokyo-based trumpet player and core member of the notorious "Shibusa Shirazu." [Homepage](http://home.att.ne.jp/moon/alcyone/) ##Ma*To(Tabla/Key)  Dub-Artist, Scientist (self-proclaimed) who plays Tabla&Computer, seeking the unity of music and technology with a philosophy of "Hi-Tech & Lo-Tech". [Homepage](http://www.mato.jp/WhoIsMaTo.html) ##Kazuhiko Yabuki (VJ)  Active since 1994, VJ and film director Kazuhiko Yabuki mixes digital and analog effects, freely weaving in video samples to create a visual world all his own. From stage backdrops to club events, fashions show, promotional videos and promotional videos, he has earned a solid reputation in the field of video arts. [Homepage](http://www.kikyu.net/) ##D.H. Rosen [TokyoDex] (VJ)  Tokyo-based visual artist D.H. Rosen loves to play with analog and digital media. His live sets are a combination of prepared digital imagery and spontaneous collage. [Homepage](http://web.mac.com/yakimonos/D.H._Rosen_Homepage/Top.html)