< Okinawa Songs >

Date: 15th November 2009
Venue: Y B Chavan Centre Nariman Point, Mumbai

A Rich Variety of Beatiful Traditional Songs from the Okinawa Islands of Japan, Accompanied by Sanshin(Three-stringed, snake-skinned lute) and Shimadaiko(Okinawan Drums).

• OSHIMA Yasukatsu - Vocal, Sanshin

Born in Shiraho, Ishigaki Island, Okinawa Prefecture in 1969, Yasukatsu Oshima grew up amid traditional performance art. His father's family has been given the name Hibari(Skylark), an honorary title given to families who are accomplished singers, and he has three aunts who perform and teach traditional dance. His grandparents on his mother's side were performers and instructors of Yaeyama folksongs (Amuro School Preservation Society). Oshima delves deeply into ancient island songs and classical Okinawa music throughout Okinawa, Including his native Yaeyama Islands, the main island of Okinawa and the Miyako Islands.He is also active as a singer of his own compositions. In addition to perfoming in Japan, he has appeared in over twenty venues overseas, including Europe, North America and South America.
http://www.oshimayasukatsu.com/english/

• NAKASONE Satoshi - Shimadaiko and Hayashi accompaniment
  

Born in Osaka, as a fifth grader in elementary school he moved to Shiraho on Ishigaki Island (his parents birthplace). Nakasone is a widely active both as a traditional perfomer of Shimadaiko for classical Yaeyama music and folk songs, as well as tradition-based drumming for rock bands. Working with ARA Yukito, one of Okinawa's most prominent singers of island songs, he is a member of the popular band, Parsha Club. Nakasone's unique drumming stlye and powerful stage presence have made him a sought-after player among many musicians and a major artist on th Okinawa music scene. He has participated in overseas tours as well, including one to China, Mongolia, and Middle East sponsored by the Japan Foundation.
http://www.jpf.go.jp/j/culture/new/0806/06-01.html#nakasone

• HATOMA Kanako - Vocals, Sanshin

Born in Ishigaki Island, Kanako Hatoma began learning Yaeyama folk songs as a third grader in elementary school when she started taking sanshin lesson from her grandmother, who lived on Hatoma Island. After graduating from elementary school, Hatoma moved in with her grandparents and great-grandparents on Hatoma Island (her parents' birthplace), and entered middle school. Her big break as a performer came in 1998, when Sadao China visited Hatoma Island as part of a television program and heard her singing, which culminated in the release of her debut songs, Chidori (Plovers) on CD. In 2000, Hatoma was a member of the Okinawa artist delegation that participated in a European tour (Russia, France, Italy) sponsored by the Japan Foundation to commemorate the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. Her first album, Yoon no Michi (Dark Road) was released in 2001; her second, Tida nu Faa (child of Sun) was released in 2008.

Map of Japan and Okinawa Island