[Calm & pure]
No.120EX "Nami" by Yukiko Matsuyama
updated
Hi. We hope all of you had an enjoyable year end, or new year holiday.
Today's song is "Nami" (Sea waves), by "Yukiko Matsuyama". It is a relaxing instrumental music featuring the "Koto" (Japanese harp).
The article today is a little long, so, we would like to recoomend you to check music sample first from here. Then please come back to the reading contents part if you prefer that way.
Some articles have been put away in a " ▼Memo " tab in each section, so please click it to read.
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Thank you.
1.Song data
| Title | Nami (Sea waves) |
|---|---|
| Artist | Yukiko Matsuyama & Koto Yuki Band |
| Album Title | Crème Brulée |
| Catalog Number | Yukiko Matsuyama (884501258586) |
| Track No. | 5 |
| Duration | 2:59 |
| Released | 2010 |
| Publisher | Yukiko Matsuyama (CDbaby.com) |
| Lyricist | Instrumental music |
| Composer | Yukiko Matsuyama |
| Arranger | Diana Dentino |
- About the creators
Instrumental musicLyricist
This track is an instrumental music, hence there is no lyricist.
Yukiko MatsuyamaComposer
A composer "Yukiko Matsuyama" is an artist of this track too.
We would like to come back to her at "About the artist" section coming up later.
Diana DentinoArranger
Diana Dentino is a pianist, keyboardist, string player, arranger and a original member of a popular Fusion band "Kilauea" active since around 1991.
Debut
Diana Dentino is an American Keyboardist originated from California.
Her name began to appear along with the activity of "Kilauea". So, the band might be a start of her professional career.
About "Kilauea"
Los Angels based Jazz fusion band,"Kilauea" was one of the most popular smooth jazz groups ln the '90s.
The band was formed in 1990, by a precursor Jazz group "The Daniel Ho Trio" and few other musicians.
For your reference, the members of the trio was "Randy Drake" (Dr), "Steve Billman" (Bs), and a Hawaiian-born musician and leader "Daniel Ho" (Kb).
It seems there is no summary page about "Kilauea", but they released the first album "Antigua Blue" in 1991.
Since then, 7 studio albums became on sale, until they broke up in 1999.
All of their album were ranked high in National Airplay Charts, and 2 of them became one of the top 10 on Billboard's jazz charts.
(Ref: windmusic.com.tw, The Daniel Ho Trio)
(Ref: mixonline.com, Daniel Ho, Mar01-2007)
(Ref: rateyourmusic.com, kilauea)
Collaboration
In parallel with Kilauea, (Or after left the band), Diana Dentino has been collaborating with various leading musicians.
Above all, her long term support for these 2 artists are notable, namely, an award winning electronic music artist "Kitarō", or a R&B singer "Peabo Bryson", who is famous with his hit songs like "If Ever You're in my arms again" (1984), or "Can you stop the rain (1991).
Among them, "Kitaro" is the musician she supports from early times of her career. She has been participating world tours, and album recordings of "Kitaro" since 1994.
Kitarō
By the way "Kitarō" is a pioneer of New-age or Ambient music, of which sound is purely generated or created by synthesizers.
He debuted in 1978, with his first album "Ten-kai" (Astral trip).
In Japan, there was a famed pioneer of synthesizer music, namely "Isao Tomita", who released an epoch making synthesizer music album in 1974, and became popular in the world.
In this sense, "Kitarō" was a heir in such authentic full-scale synthesizer music category. But, his fantasic, imaginative, and profound sound, created by synthesizers, were shockingly new. And it attracted a lot of listeners.
Since then he has been a popular synthesizer music artist in all over the world. And in 1991, he received a Grammy Award for his album "Thinking Of You".
For more information about Kitarō, please check with other references.
Yukiko Matsuyama
Therefore, in a sense, it is natural that Diana Dentino meets with "Yukiko Matsuyama", who lives in the United States to create a quality music, by using an unique oriental instrument "Koto (Japanese harp)".
"Dentino" became a member of Yukiko Matsuyama's "Koto Yuki band" from sometime, (there was no information on the year of join). And has been supporting her as a keyboardist and an arranger.
Lastly, this is a sample of Diana Dentino's solo album "Songs of love" released on 2007.
"Songs of Love"(2007)
(Album)
by Diana Dentino
(Ref: allmusic.com, Diana Dentino)
(Ref: dianadentino.com, Welcome)
Video clip
Finally, here is a small clip of "Kitaro In Malaysia 2007" which Dentino took part in.
The clip is mixed with Diana Dentino's personal movie which is also quite interesting.
* JOURNEY ACROSS ASIA
Cover art today
- Sound impressions
Calm & peaceful
This is a calm, pure and peaceful "Koto" instrumental in a slow, elegant rhythm.
Warmth
A graceful solo play of "Koto" begin an introduction, then a gentle arpeggio of the acoustic guitar start escorting.
At the 2nd verses, the drums, bass, and strings join, and change the atmosphere to a fine smooth Jazz, or a world music.
It is a stylish tune, but very heart-warming sound.
Sound of the "Koto"
For Japanese people, the sound of the "Koto" is something special.
Whenever we listen its harmony, feel it is pure, ceremonial, celestial, and auspicious.
We don't know why we feel like that. Perhaps it is written in our DNA.
But independently from such background, Yukiko Matsuyama's this track is superb.
We feel happy to introduce such a beautiful melody on the first post of the new year.
Koto Yuki Band
The artist of this album "Crème Brulée" is Yukimo Matsuyama & "Koto Yuki band".
We are not very sure about the details of "Koto Yuki band", but judging from the way of writing of the album credits, presumably the following 4 musicians are regular members.
- Koto
- Yukiko Matsuyama
- Sax & Flute
- Greg Vail
- Piano, Keyboard
- Diana Dentino
- Drums
- Mike Bennett
And the following players are guest artists on this album.
- Bass
- Vince van Trigt
- Violin & Viola
- David Brock
- Cello
- Daniel Mulliken
- Guitar
- Chris Darrow
- Guitar
- Dave Wood
- Cajon
- Michael Kotzen
Anyway, We would like to update on them if we find suitable references.
About "Hiroshima"
If you are a Jazz fan, you might remember a veteran American Jazz Fusion band "Hiroshima", when you have heard a concept like the "Koto" in Jazz.
Just a personal impression, but, "Hiroshima"s sound seems more active, dynamic, and emphasizing more Japanese characters, compared with "Yukiko Matsuyama"s.
That impression may be coming from their use of more various Japanese instruments on their ensemble.
There are some differences in sound characters between both bands, but the philosophy to the music seems fairly closer.
So, please listen if you have a chance.
Video clip
Here is a music clip of "Hiroshima". Title of the track is "One Wish" from their 4th album "Another Place" released in 1985.
* One Wish
- Reference
- About the artist
Yukiko MatsuyamaA master of "Koto" moved to LA
"Yukiko Matsuyama" is a composer and a master player of "Koto" (Japanese harp), active since 1993.
The first album "Kazaguruma" (pinwheel) was released in 1999 in the US, because she lives and works in America since 1993.
From then on, 7 original albums have been on sale until now.
(Ref: Wikipedia-en, Yukiko Matsuyama)
Training for the "Koto"
"Yukiko Matsuyama" started learning the "Koto" when she was 9 years old, at the legitimate Ikuta-school of the "Koto".
In Japan, taking lessons of the "Koto" had been regarded as a noble, classy and elegant cultural enrichment particularly for women.
Therefore, the "Koto" classrooms in town was quite popular at least the end of the last century, even it was quite costly.
A lot of parents was sending their children to the classrooms. Or, many young women were also attending the classes to change themselves more attractive.
And in the schools, the "Koto" had been a popular and very common club activities, particularly at high schools and colleges.
Certified as master
Even there are many trainees, only very few of them can finally achieve a master of "Koto".
In case of "Yukiko Matsuyama", she was certified as a master of "Koto" at Ikuta-school in 1986, and given a teaching credential at the same time.
And this was virtually the start of her professional career.
Move to the US
In 1993, "Matsuyama" moved to Los Angels to challenge creating a new fusion music of Western Jazz and "Koto", but in her own style.
From that day, she began to wrestle with music in new environment.
1st album to 2010
In 1999, she successfully teamed up her leader band, "Koto Yuki band" by having supports from several expert musicians.
And released her 1st instrumental album "Kazaguruma" (pinwheel).
From 1999 to 2010, she released 3 leader albums. Today's CD "Crème Brulée" was also became on sale during this period.
"Miho: Journey to the Mountain"
In 2010, a known Japanese private museum, "Miho Museum", which locates in Shigaraki town - near Kyoto, made a plan to create an original instrumental CD, intended to make it as a special souvenir of the museum.
After consideration, their proposal was sent to a renowned American Jazz, Newage group, "Paul Winter Consort". And the band accepted this offer.
The recording was performed at the corridor of Miho Museum, where the space was naturally reverberant.
Various musicians were joined on this session, and "Yukiko Matsuyama" also took part in as a "Koto" player.
⇒ Picture of the Paul Winter Consort
at Miho Museum
In the United States, this album was naturally released from Paul Winter's label "Living Music".
The album "Miho: Journey to the Mountain" was accepted well in the market. And earned the 53rd Grammy Award for Best New Age Album in 2011.
Of course, our "Yukiko Matsuyama" was given an award as well. Here is a picture of her at the ceremony.
⇒ The 53rd Grammy Awards
ceremony report
About Miho Museum...
Here are some useful links.
Information for Visitors, MIHO MUSEUM
(Ref: en.wikipedia.org, MIHO MUSEUM)
and,
MIHO MUSEUM (photos), Kyototravels.com🇯🇵
(A golden triangular building appearing on the top of the above site is the Louvre Museum in Paris, not the MIHO MUSEUM. It might be used for a comparison purpose.)
The museum is located in west of Kyoto, and it takes 60 to 80 minutes (from JR Kyoto station) by train and bus. By car, roughly 45 minutes via motor way, from the center of Kyoto to the museum.
And if you like, an old pottery village called Shigaraki town is not far from there. (20 minutes travel by community bus.)
Please note but the museum is open only limited days of the year. Then, please check with the museum calendar before you plan to go.
The founder of the museum was a leader of a big religious group. But museum itself is nothing particular.
From 2010 onward
In 2011, she participated in "Madi Sato"s album "Return to the River".
And, at about this point, she started a collaboration with a Japanese POP and AOR group, "Hirotaka Ogawa Band" which is lead by a guitarist, and her elder brother "Hirotaka Ogawa".
Then in 2012, the team created an album titled "Beyond the Space". And launched it in both the United States and Japan.
And now a days, she is constantly appearing on various concert, and showing her excellent "Koto" performance.
Video clip
Finally, here is a music clip of "Kaze Matsuri" by Yukiko Matsuyama, picked up from today's album "Crème Brulée".
You can see some pictures of her on this video.
* Kaze Matsuri - Koto
- Samples from online music stores
About the samples
Please go to the page below, and just play or click track No.5.
Trial button is on the left side of the song title.
AD :
Free listening samples
Amazon JP(en)
bandcamp.com
cdbaby.com
8. Japanese Letters
| Song Title | "Nami" |
|---|---|
| Artist | 松山夕貴子 (Yukiko Matsuyama) |
| Album Title | Crème Brulée |
About Persimmons
Here are some photo of persimmons under drying.
It seems another week to go.
(Pictures are 1280p(300k), so may be heavy for mobile phones.)
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