Hey there ~ I thought I’d share a wonderful concert I experienced last week at Anthology in San Diego ~ Anthology is a great supper club that attracts some of the greatest musical artists of our time including our number one musical inspiration, Johannes!! ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UtYAoI3JWs
I was blessed to catch a great performance at Anthology by “another” personal musical inspiration – the legendary jazz band, Hiroshima ~ I was deeply moved by their beautiful spirit and music ~ They are unique in the way they incorporate the beauty of the ancient instrument, the Koto, into their jazz music ~ They are American born (except for the lovely Koto master, June, who was born in Japan but moved to America when she was 6 years old.)
One can hear the beauty of June’s koto in “One Wish”
A quote from their website ~
“Since Hiroshima’s inception in 1980, the group has assumed the artistic mission of bridging cultural divides through the power of music. Hiroshima has borrowed from numerous cultures – Asian, Latin American, African American and more – and merged these influences into a unique and innovative whole that is solely their own. The result is a brand of music that speaks to nearly every aspect of contemporary culture…”
“We’re always looking at things from a multicultural perspective. We see this as the coolest thing about America. Its strength and its vision comes from its multi-ethnicity. Those differences are going to give us the strength to be more unified. The more we homogenize, the more we give up that notion of cultural diversity …” – Hiroshima
Coralina, the koto is such a beautiful instrument. Please find a special video featuring the koto to share with us!
Oh Johannes – I love your request! ~ The only video I could find so far that really speaks to my heart is June playing the koto with Hiroshima performing One Wish ~ (I will edit and add it to this blog) ~ I love the delicate sound of the koto and the instrument is a work of art .. so beautiful!
Wowz! – that’s so cool that you got to experience the magic and talent of an incredible group of musicians makin’ some of the most amazingly beautiful music!! – such a special and blessed night indeed! 😀 😀 ~ Awesome Coralinni! ~ what a history!!
Hiroshima brings together world influences and good ol’ jazz with the beautiful sounds of traditional Asian sounds – melding together a style that is unique and reflects tha theme of harmony and unity ~ as the quote above states, music that can speak to aspects of everyday culture…of all tastes and flavors ~
Their song “One Wish” – features such a nice solo of June’s koto-playing ~ a song that resonates within – such deep feelings inside….esp. with the love and respect i have of the Orient…in a very sacred way ~ a sweet song that blossoms like a flower ~
And yes, the koto has such a beautiful delicate timbre to it…yet has a magical quality to it as well ~ at once so sweet, but also very deep and exotic ~
Many thanks for sharin’ Coralinni!! – this is so koolio’s!