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25.
1. 2011 |
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Classic
Club
NHK BS
NHK Hi Vision broadcast of Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' Goldberg
Variations concert, recorded on February 2010 at Sumida Triphony
Hall, Tokyo.
Broadcast: 8 February (Wed) 6-6:55am
NHK BS Premiere
www.nhk.or.jp/classic/club
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Best
of Galaxy Music
Space
Balloon Project compilation album podcast on iTunes
including Yasuaki Shimizu's "Space Sarabande"
Space Balloon Project was the inspired Samsung marketing campaign from July 2011
that launched the new Galaxy SII smartphone by balloon from the Nevada desert.
Music relayed by the phone from as high as 30,000 meters included Shimizu's "Space
Sarabande" – a new tenor saxophone arrangement of the "Sarabande" from
Bach's Cello Suite No. 1. Now an album of that project, featuring 6 songs from
7 participating artists, has been pre-released as Best of Galaxy Music by the
iTunes Store Japan.
"Space Sarabande" was recorded in the northern Italian Dolomites. Watch
Shimizu’s
interview and scenes from the session here.
The Space Balloon Project won the
Yahoo! JAPAN Internet Creative Awards
2011 Kigyo no Bu Grand Prix last November,
followed by the Grand Prize in the 15th
Japan Media Arts Festival Entertainment
Division last December.
Online release: 25 January
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29.
12. 2011 |
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30.
11. 2011 |
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WHISKY
HILLS 2011 SCENE OF THE NIGHT
Whisky snifter
Tune in to J-WAVE as Mibu Minami reads Shimizu's reflections on the
time, place, and atmosphere for whisky drinking.
J-WAVE 81.3FM
Broadcast: 2 December (Fri) 9:55-10pm
Host/Narrator: Mibu Minami
www.j-wave.co.jp/original/sceneofthenight
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zig-BACH-zag-PENTA
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes live at Mitaka City Arts Center
Tokyo 10 December
Don't miss the last concert of the year by Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes
on Saturday 10 December at Mitaka City Arts Center Concert Hall, featuring
selections from Shimizu's Bach arrangements of the Cello Suites and Art
of Fugue, and original compositions from the album Pentatonica.
The concert develops a theme Shimizu debuted in Paris in 2005, and pursued
to much acclaim in Moscow, Havana and Japan. This time the group – re-energised
after their performance in Hong Kong – will premiere new pentatonic
works as well as new arrangements of the Art of Fugue for five
saxophones.
The Concert Hall has remarkable acoustics (for the technically curious:
a long 1.8-second after-tone at 500Hz at full seating). This is a must
see-and-hear chance to experience this unique space, played by the ensemble
as a musical instrument.
Yasuaki Shimizu (tenor sax)
Ryoko Egawa, Hayashida Hirokazu (tenor, soprano sax)
Hiroshi Suzuki, Ryota Higashi (baritone sax)
10 December (Sat) 6pm (doors open 5:30pm)
Mitaka City Arts
Center, Concert Hall, 6-12-14 Kamirenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo
(15 min walk from JR Mitaka Station)
Tickets: 4,000 yen, 2,000 yen students
For reservations contact Mitaka City Arts Center ticket counter 0422-47-5122
(10am–7pm; closed Monday)
Online ticket sales: http://mitaka-art.jp/ticket
Mobile: https://mitaka-art.jp/ticket-m
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MITAKA
ARTS NEWS ON TV
TV interview
Shimizu discusses the upcoming zig-Bach-zag-Penta concert on 10 December.
Catch it on Mitaka news channel till 5 December.
To see the interview click on Mitaka City Arts Center link:
http://mitaka.jpn.org/ticket/1112100/#movie
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15.
11. 2011 |
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Ensemble
Otto Voci recital
Premiere of Yasuaki Shimizu's "Suspended Notes" at Toppan
Hall
Tokyo 22 November
First-ever performance of this new work composed by Shimizu especially
for Ensemble Otto Voci, the all-female saxophone octet which includes
Ryoko Egawa of the Saxophonettes. "I really went for the concept
of eight women playing impeccably polished saxophones,” says Shimizu. “Like
Jun'ichiro Tanizaki's Makioka Sisters in a parallel universe. And after
two months of work the piece is complete. Come and soak in my multiverse
of tubular tones!”
Hitomi Hara, Ryoko Egawa (soprano sax)
Miwako Watanabe, Yuko Tanabe (alto sax)
Miki Sone, Shima Okuri (tenor sax)
Yumi Koike, Miki Hiraga (baritone sax)
22 November (Tue) 7pm (doors open 6:30pm)
Toppan
Hall, 1-3-3 Suido, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
(13min walk from JR Iidabashi station)
Tickets: 4,000 yen, 3,500 yen in advance, 2,500 yen students (free seating)
For reservations and information contact ensembleottovoci@hotmail.co.jp,
or
Toppan Hall Ticket Center 03-5840-2222
http://otto-voci.com
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Noise & Chill
Out
Ethiopian Groove Worldwide
Out this month! Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' "Tew Semagn
Hagere" included in two-disc set of Ethiopian music
Shimizu's longtime friend Francis Falceto, producer of the renowned
Ethiopique CD series and recipient of the Professional Excellence Award
at this year's World Music Expo (WOMEX) has selected "Tew Semagn
Hagere" from the album Pentatonica for his latest compilation of
Ethiopian music. The set also features the Kronos
Quartet and Swiss big
band Imperial Tiger Orchestra. Available in Europe through the French
label Buda Musique, US release scheduled for Spring 2012.
Release: November
Buda
Musique 860215
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QLASSIX
Yasuaki Shimizu plays on FPM album
On sale 16 November
Music producer since 2009 for the "UNIQLO
Calendar", DJ Tomoyuki
Tanaka (aka Fantastic Plastic Machine) has included "Ai no Yume," a
rendition of Franz Liszt's "Liebestraum No.3" featuring Yasuaki
Shimizu on tenor saxophone, on his new album Qlassix out this month.
Release: 16 November
avex trax AVCD-38390
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Magalog:
Kaori Takeda Songbook
Yasuaki Shimizu songs on Kaori Takeda album on sale 30 November
Singer Kaori Takeda’s upcoming compilation of her popular TV commercial
tunes includes Shimizu's "Chuo Rakuno Kaigi" for the Central
Dairy Council of Japan, as well as his arrangement of "The Third
Man Theme" for Yebisu Beer.
Release: 30 November
Victor Entertainment VICL-63826
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3.
11. 2011 |
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Scabbard
Samurai (Saya Zamurai)
Directed
by Hitoshi Matsumoto, music by Yasuaki Shimizu
Available on Blu-Ray and DVD from 5 November
Hitoshi Matsumoto's third and latest film Scabbard Samurai from this
summer out on Blu-Ray and DVD this week. Extras include documentary footage
of the premiere and a special outdoor screening at the Locarno
Film Festival.
Release:
5 November
Yoshimoto
R and C Blu-ray YRXN-90008, DVD YRBN-90328
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5.
10. 2011 |
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Toyota
Crown CM Collection 1963-2010
Including
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' "Prelude"
Featured as the theme music to a host of TV commercials since its release
in 1996, the Cello Suite No. 1 "Prelude" from the Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes album
Cello Suites 1.2.3 returns on this DVD anthology of all Toyota
Crown commercials to date. The perennially popular track anchored the
much-loved Crown Athlete commercial.
Release:
5 October
avex
trax AQBD-50613
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Yen
Tricks/Auschwitz Dream
History
remastered: reissues out 5 October
The first two albums of Shimizu's early 1980s progressive rock band Mariah have been remastered and reissued in paper jacket format. Have a listen
to their intense conflux of diverse sounds with a bold experimental edge.
Yasuaki Shimizu (tenor sax), Takayuki Hijikata (guitar), Masanori Sasaji
(keyboards), Morio Watanabe (bass), Jimmy Murakawa (vocals), Hideo Yamaki
(drums)
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Mariah:
Yen Tricks
King
Records KICS-91710
1980 Original release (LP)
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Mariah: Auschwitz
Dream
King
Records KICS-917101
1981 Original release (LP)
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4.
10. 2011 |
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Run
Run Shaw Creative Media Centre Grand Opening Festival
Yasuaki
Shimizu & Saxophonettes "Frequency Hong Kong"
Opening
performance for the City University of Hong Kong, 28 October
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes bring their inimitable artistry
to the grand opening of the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre
in Hong Kong on 28 October. Guests arriving at the new Daniel
Libeskind building will be showered with Shimizu’s
signature interpretations of Bach as well as his pentatonic works
performed by the all-saxophone quintet from balcony perches on
different floors. Using meticulously designed multi-layered sound
rebounding off Libeskind's clever angular exterior to “light
up” the
structure, the musicians will round out thee vening to create
a gigantic resonating space—an interplay
of humour and drama not to be missed.
Yasuaki
Shimizu (tenor sax)
Ryoko Egawa, Hayashida Hirokazu (tenor sax)
Hiroshi Suzuki, Ryota Higashi (baritone sax)
Friday 28 October
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes play three sets from 4:45–7pm
Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, City University of Hong Kong
18 Tat Hong Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Free admission to Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes’ balcony
performance (no seating).
Admission to Grand Opening Festival ceremony is by invitation
only.
For more information see www.cityu.edu.hk/cmc
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The
Wandering Peddlers (Tabisuru Pao-Jiang-Hu )
Directed by Mitsuo Yanagimachi, music by Yasuaki Shimizu
Special screening Friday 21 October at Auditorium Shibuya
Film director Katsuya Tomita has selected Mitsuo Yanagimachi's 1995
documentary about Taiwanese itinerant performers, The Wandering Peddlers, as
a "favourite movie" to be screened together with his own latest
film Saudade on
21 October. Shimizu composed and recorded the soundtrack
at his home Submarine Studio. The project became a pivotal endeavor
that reoriented his views on music.
The film soundtrack album Pao-Jiang-Hu is available on Coeur Records
CR-0002 (1995)
21 October
(Fri) 9–10:30pm
*Directors Tomita and Yanagimachi will hold a discussion afterwards
Auditorium Shibuya
KINOHAUS 2F, 1-5 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo
Tickets: 1,200 yen
For information contact Auditorium Shibuya 03-6809-0538
http://a-shibuya.jp/archives/1538
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30.
8. 2011 |
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Classic
Club
NHK BS
NHK Hi Vision broadcast of Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' Goldberg
Variations concert, recorded on February 2010 at Sumida Triphony Hall,
Tokyo.
Broadcast: 15 September (Thu) 6-6:55am
NHK BS Premiere
www.nhk.or.jp/classic/club
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8.
7. 2011 |
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Space
Balloon Project
Attention Earthlings! Yasuaki
Shimizu nudges the stratosphere with "Galaxy SII" launch.
Live broadcast from space, 15–17 July
For three days in mid-July, special hot air balloons will lift the
new
NTT Docomo Galaxy
SII smartphone 30,000m into the stratosphere, from where they’ll
relay cosmic messages, music, and video, including a performance by
Shimizu. Seven artists will feature, including Open
Reel Ensemble, Miu
Sakamoto, Masakatsu
Takagi and Kotringo,
and the broadcast will be sent "live from space" via Ustream.
Also on the launch pad are video and sound of Shimizu’s ethereal “Sarabande” from
Bach's Cello Suite No. 1, newly re-recorded on tenor saxophone
in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy (just to harmonize with
the "unearthly" theme).
The high-flung phones will also relay Facebook, Twitter and Mixi messages,
so be sure to text in to the Project website!
Broadcasts: 15 (Fri), 16 (Sat)
and 17 (Sun) July, 9–10:30pm (Japan time/tentative)
http://space-balloon.net
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23.
5. 2011 |
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Brown
Eyes
dip
in the pool mini-album featuring "Io" on sale 25 May
A new recording of the Shimizu composition "lo" features on
the first album for 14 years from music producer Tatsuji
Kimura and vocalist
Miyako Koda, a.k.a. pop duo "dip in the pool.” The song, also
produced by Shimizu, debuted on Koda's 1988 solo album Jupiter,
and was re-recorded this year.
Release: 25 May
Bellwood
Records BZCS-1082
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18.
5. 2011 |
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Ballaké Sissoko & Vincent
Segal
Guest
appearance by Yasuaki Shimizu, Monday 6 June at CAY Aoyama
Shimizu performs live with West African kora virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko from
Mali and French cellist Vincent Segal on their first visit to Japan.
A unique opportunity to enjoy an unprecedented collaboration between
global talents – not to be missed!
6 June (Mon) 7pm (doors open
6pm)
CAY,
Spiral Bldg. B1, 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
(1min. walk from Omotesando station/B1 exit)
Tickets: 5,000 yen (free seating)
E plus, CAY 03-3498-5790,
Plankton 03-3498-2881
For more information, contact Plankton 03-3498-2881
www.plankton.co.jp
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Let's
go, Japan #2
Quake
benefit concert available on iTunes (Japan only)
In response to the many requests for
a repeat webcast of the 4 April charity performance on Ustream, a
compilation album of the event, Let's go, Japan #2, is now
available through iTunes. The album features 56 songs played by various
artists – including
9 songs by Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes. Collectors are sure
to enjoy such never-before released recordings as "Asa" and
the "Contrapunctus I" from Bach's Art of Fugue.
Shimizu personally mixed down the performance to ensure the perfect
sound.
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes
performed: Koega, Cello Suite No.3 – Courante, Hattorun,
Cello Suite No.6 – Gavotte I, II, Dolomiti Spring, Asa,
Art of Fugue – Contrapunctus I, Cello Suite No.1 – Prelude,
Cello Suite No.1 – Gigue
Onile release: 27
April
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Scabbard
Samurai (Saya Zamurai)
Music
for Hitoshi Matsumoto's new film, premieres 11 June
Following up on his soundtrack
for Hitoshi Matsumoto's Symbol,
Shimizu has now scored the director's third film, Scabbard
Samurai, a period
drama about family problems and social issues that play
out when a samurai
renounces his sword. Shimizu pays witty homage to
classic Japanese film scores, adding his signature pentatonic
twists. Says Shimizu, "My aim was never a period-specific
film score, I wanted to write music that would make the
actors look more beautiful."
Plot summary:
When an incident causes samurai Kanjuro Nomi to give up the sword without
permission from his clan – or the approval of his daughter – he
is quickly apprehended and brought to account. The feudal lord, a renowned
eccentric, hands down a curious sentence: make the lord's son laugh within
30 days and he's a free man; fail, and it's harakiri.
See the film
trailer
Premieres at Shochiku cinemas in Japan from Saturday 11 June
Locarno International Film Festival 3–13 August
www.sayazamurai.com
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Senbazuru
Enka track
hits Number One! CD single on sale 6 July
Shimizu's composition for Kenji
Kurita, "Senbazuru", released online at the end of
April as a ringtone and full ringtune, entered the RecoChoku enka/pop daily chart at number 3 and after continuing to top
the charts for three consecutive weeks, has now reached number
1 – prompting a quick decision to press a CD. At present,
the song is still climbing the Usen cable radio charts. Thanks
to everyone who requested this tune!
Release: 6 July 2011
Tokuma Japan Communications TKCA-90445
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Yasuaki
Shimizu & Saxophonettes Tokyo concert
On a recent visit to the Mitaka
City Arts Center in west suburban Tokyo, we found the Concert Hall
to have ideal long-resonating acoustics for the Saxophonettes. A concert
has now been set for Saturday, 10 December. The program will include
pentatonic compositions and Bach pieces as well as new material especially
penned for this event. Shimizu is hard at work composing now!
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25.
4. 2011 |
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Let's
go, Japan #2: East Japan Quake Benefit
Ustream,
28 April
Ustream will rebroadcast Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' live online charity
performance for Let's go, Japan #2, recorded
on 6 April at Cricket Studio,Tokyo.
Broadcast: 28 April (Thu), 8–11pm Asobi
Cast
Access: www.ustream.tv/channel/asobi-cast
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18.
4. 2011 |
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Senbazuru
(Thousand Cranes)
Kenji
Kurita enka ringtone melody downloadable from
20 April (Japan
only)
Let your incoming phone calls broadcast a classic Shimizu melody. As
a follow-up to the 2009 hit “Yume Mada Tochu”, Shimizu composed
and arranged this enka ballad for Kenji Kurita, combining acoustic
guitar with sharp contemporary lyrics in a song you'll want to hear again
and
again. Musicians include longtime collaborators Yuichi Togashiki on drums
and Kenji Takamizu on contrabass. At present, the tune is planned for
release only on RecoChoku and other major download sites.
Short ringtone available
20 April,
complete melody 27 April via
RecoChoku
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While
continuing to perform live and produce other music projects,
Shimizu is now working toward his own next album. He recently
checked out Minatogawa Zuido in Kobe as a possible recording
location with ideal natural acoustics.
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1.
4. 2011 |
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Let's
go, Japan #2: East Japan Quake Benefit
Yasuaki
Shimizu & Saxophonettes charity performance on Ustream,
6 April
Our heartfelt concern goes out to the many victims of the earthquake
and tsunami.
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes will join a charity concert
to aid rebuilding efforts on 6 April, together with others in
the music industry. We will play live online via Ustream as a
fundraiser
for the Japan
Red Cross. The first event at the end of March, Let's
go, Japan 1 was a resounding success, with a brilliant lineup
of artists earning the webcast a #1 Ustream audience
ranking. For this second event, the Saxophonettes will be joined
by Ryoichi
Fujimori (cello), Toshiro Nakagawa (piano),
Tomoko Kawada (violin), Brass Extreme Tokyo and many others.
We hope you can join us too.
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes
Yasuaki Shimizu (tenor sax), Ryoko Egawa, Hirokazu Hayashida
(tenor sax)
Hiroshi Suzuki, Ryota Higashi (baritone sax)
6 April (Wed), 12 noon–11pm
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes scheduled to appear 9:30pm–10pm
(subject to change)
Host website: Asobi Cast www.ustream.tv/channel/asobi-cast
Access via Ustream online.
Click on www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html,
and you will be directed to the Japan Red Cross relief fund contribution
page. For those who wish to donate in person, there will be a collection
box in the lobby of Cricket Studio in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. There
is extremely limited viewing space (about 20 persons) in the studio.
For more information contact Mr. Music 03-3470-7271
Cricket Studio: 1-8-18 B1 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
www.mr-music.co.jp
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24.
3. 2011 |
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Tohoku
benefit concert
Thank you for your generosity – to
all our friends and everyone who contributed to the Tohoku earthquake
and tsunami benefit concert, featuring Yasuaki Shimizu and dancer
Kazunori
Kumagai,
on 20 March at Social
Kitchen, Kyoto.
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7.
3. 2011 |
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Miho
Project 25th Anniversary Art Party
Yasuaki Shimizu performs solo
Sunday 13 March at
Iwagami Hall, Kyoto
Miho Project, which heads
Shimizu's Fan Club from offices in the Nishijin district of central
Kyoto, is now in its 25th year. With heartfelt appreciation, Shimizu
will participate on the last day of the three-day celebration event.
Yasuaki Shimizu (tenor sax) will appear from 6pm.
Other acts from 4pm include Nishijin Brocade [KND (DJ), Hiraku
Yamamoto (violin)], Daruma Shoten (live painting) with Tomofumi
Nonaka (shamisen), Aqua Shin (magic).
13 March (Sun) 4pm (doors
open 3:30pm)
Iwagami Hall, 693 Daikoku-cho, Kamidachiuri-agaru, Jofukuji-dori,
Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
(20 min walk from subway Imadegawa Station)
Tickets: 3,000 yen (free
seating)
For more information contact, Miho Project 075-417-4870 yu-an1@mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp
http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/yu-an1/
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28.
2. 2011 |
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Classic
Club
NHK BS
NHK Hi Vision broadcast of
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes' Goldberg Variations concert,
recorded on February 2010 at Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo.
Broadcast: 3 March (Thu) 6–6:55am
NHK BS2hi
www.nhk.or.jp/classic/club/
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26.
1. 2011 |
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Joshibi
Degree Show
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes free
performance in Yokohama
Opening event guests at the Women’s University of Art and
Design Annual Degree Show, Friday 11 February
Every February, Joshi
Bijutsu Daigaku (Women's University of Art and Design – or “Joshibi” for
short) presents students’ work from all departments. For
the exhibition’s opening this year, the university has invited
Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes to accompany a live painting
performance by Joshibi Dean, Nui Sano. Come soak up the saxes,
and preview future directions in Japanese art and design. Incidentally,
the venue is where the Saxophonettes’ album Pentatonica was
recorded.
11 February (Fri) Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes
with Nui Sano live painting 5–5:30pm
(Saxes take the stage from around 4:30pm)
BankART
Studio NYK, 3-9 Kaigandori, Naka, Yokohama
(5 min walk from Bashamichi Station)
Entry: free
For more information, contact Joshibi 042-778-6123
www.joshibi.net/gw/
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18.
1. 2011 |
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Nikkei
Shimbun
Leading Japanese
newspaper the Nikkei Shimbun selected Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes'
Goldberg Variations performance at Sumida Triphony Hall as one
of the "Three Most Memorable Concerts of 2010" (Jazz/rock
category, 27 Dec 2010). Stay tuned for further award-contender
projects this year!
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7.
1. 2011 |
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Maia
Barouh + Yasuaki Shimizu
Saturday 15 January at Saravah
Tokyo
It all started in 1982,
when Yasuaki Shimizu collaborated with Pierre Barouh on the legendary
album Le Pollen, then moved to Paris. Friends ever since,
Shimizu will soon perform with Pierre's world-music traveler daughter
Maia,
who is now an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist. The Saravah
Tokyo venue, newly opened in central Shibuya, also happens to be
run by Pierre Barouh's own label Saravah, one of Europe's oldest
independents.
For Japanese readers who may be interested in the whole story,
Maia’s mother and corporate director of Saravah, Atsuko Ushioda,
tells it to Web da Capo:
http://webdacapo.magazineworld.jp/cultures/culture/36677/ (in Japanese
only)
Maia Barouh (vocals, flute,
others)
Yasuaki Shimizu (tenor sax, piano, others)
15 January (Sat)
7pm (doors open 6pm)
Saravah Tokyo, 1-29-1-B1 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
(7 min walk from JR Shibuya Station)
Tickets: 4,000
yen, 3,500 yen
in advance
For more information or reservation contact Saravah Tokyo
03-6427-8886 / contact@saravah.jp
www.saravah.jp/tokyo
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