Hiromitsu Agatsuma
Encyclopedia
Hiromitsu Agatsuma is a Japanese shamisen
artist who plays the Tsugaru-jamisen
, a larger shamisen with thicker strings than those used for most other styles.
He was born in Hitachi
, Ibaraki Prefecture
.
Despite the high acclaim he received in the hogaku, or traditional Japanese music world, for his accomplishments, Agatsuma did not rest on his laurels. He not only continued to explore the traditional aspects of his instrument, but also avidly experimented in fusing its sounds with diverse musical genres.
In "BEAMS," his second album (released in July 2002), he recorded ten original works, taking the Tsugaru-jamisen in new directions. The same album was subsequently released in America by Domo Records
in January 2003, upon which Agatsuma made his US debut. His five-concert tour of the east coast - New York, Boston, Windsor, and Baltimore - was a huge success.
In March 2003, Agatsuma released a traditional shamisen album, "Classics (Agatsuma 3)," which includes tracks recorded live in a New York church.
Currently he is broadening his field with over 100 annual concerts, sessions and media appearances both in Japan and overseas, while continuing to pursue "the traditions of and innovation in the Tsugaru-jamisen."
Media appearances include joint performances with artists from around the world; he was a guest at the Japan performances of Marcus Miller
(Bass) and has performed with Larry Coryell
(Guitar), Nana Vasconcelos
(Percussion), Sarena Jones (Vocals) and others.
Shamisen
The , also called is a three-stringed, Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum called a bachi. The Japanese pronunciation is usually "shamisen" but sometimes "jamisen" when used as a suffix . -Construction:The shamisen is a plucked stringed instrument...
artist who plays the Tsugaru-jamisen
Tsugaru-jamisen
Tsugaru-Shamisen is a genre of shamisen music originating in Aomori prefecture in the northernmost area of the Japanese island of Honshū. It is today performed throughout Japan, though associations with the Tsugaru area of Aomori remain strong....
, a larger shamisen with thicker strings than those used for most other styles.
He was born in Hitachi
Hitachi, Ibaraki
is a city located on the Pacific Ocean in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Its name could be directly translated as "sunrise", but probably more appropriately adapted to "prosperous wealth" .-Demographics:...
, Ibaraki Prefecture
Ibaraki Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province...
.
Early life
Agatsuma began studying the Tsugaru-jamisen at the age of six, and earned his first accolade - top prize at the 1988 All-Japan Tsugaru-jamisen Competition - at 14. This was followed in 1995 and 1996, by top honours at the Tsugaru-jamisen National Competition, said to be the country's most prestigious.Despite the high acclaim he received in the hogaku, or traditional Japanese music world, for his accomplishments, Agatsuma did not rest on his laurels. He not only continued to explore the traditional aspects of his instrument, but also avidly experimented in fusing its sounds with diverse musical genres.
Career
In September 2001, he made his major label debut on Toshiba EMI with the eponymous "Agatsuma." This album, comprising five traditional pieces and five original ones, was named Traditional Japanese Music Album of the Year at the 16th Japan Gold Disc Awards.In "BEAMS," his second album (released in July 2002), he recorded ten original works, taking the Tsugaru-jamisen in new directions. The same album was subsequently released in America by Domo Records
Domo Records
Domo Records is an independent record label in Los Angeles, California. Domo Records was established in 1993 by Ei'ichi Naito, a record producer and engineer...
in January 2003, upon which Agatsuma made his US debut. His five-concert tour of the east coast - New York, Boston, Windsor, and Baltimore - was a huge success.
In March 2003, Agatsuma released a traditional shamisen album, "Classics (Agatsuma 3)," which includes tracks recorded live in a New York church.
Currently he is broadening his field with over 100 annual concerts, sessions and media appearances both in Japan and overseas, while continuing to pursue "the traditions of and innovation in the Tsugaru-jamisen."
Media appearances include joint performances with artists from around the world; he was a guest at the Japan performances of Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
(Bass) and has performed with Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell is an American jazz fusion guitarist.-Biography:Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Richland High School, in Richland, Washington, where he played in local bands The Jailers, The Rumblers, The Royals, and The Flames. He also played with The Checkers from nearby...
(Guitar), Nana Vasconcelos
Naná Vasconcelos
Naná Vasconcelos is a Brazilian Latin jazz percussionist, vocalist and berimbau player, most notable for his works with Pat Metheny, Don Cherry, Egberto Gismonti, and Gato Barbieri....
(Percussion), Sarena Jones (Vocals) and others.
Discography
- 2001 — Agatsuma
- 2002 — Beams (Agatsuma 2)
- 2002 — New Asia
- 2002 — KoKoRo-Dozen Hearts
- 2003 — Classics (Agatsuma 3)
- 2003 — New Asia II
- 2004 — Beyond
- 2005 — Eien no Uta- Eternal Songs
- 2006 — En
- 2007 — Soufuu
- 2008 — Agatsuma Plays Standards