Shamisen Virtuosos...
Cross-cultural pioneers and young Tsugaru-shamisen virtuosos Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida-The Yoshida Brothers - have re-interpreted a traditional music style for the new generation. Superstars in their native Japan, the brothers are masters of the traditional Japanese Tsugaru-shamisen, an ancient three-stringed banjo/lute-like instrument that is plucked with a triangular pick resulting in a percussive twang. Their energetic and muscular interpretation of the shamisen has revealed the wide expressive potential of the instrument and attracted an international audience.
Playing since the age of five in their Northern Hokkaido home, the brothers went on to win many prestigious Tsugaru-shamisen competitions, then releasing subsequent recordings. Donning traditional Japanese dress-kimonos and hakama pants-but sporting the dyed hair that is trendy among Japanese youth, they infuse modernity into their music with Western musical influences such as pop, jazz, blues, Latin and more. The Yoshida Brothers performances are known for their fast and percussive shamisen style, trading riffs at lightning speed, and as World Music Central writes, “the Brothers play the age-old Tsugaru-shamisen with the fervor of Jimi Hendrix.” Their unique fusion of traditional Japanese music and modern Western influences have already earned them worldwide attention-their music is the theme of the Nintendo Wii commercials- and continues to thrill audiences everywhere.
Following a successful '08 tour across Canada, Global Arts Concerts is proud to once again bring the Yoshida Brothers to Victoria and Vancouver, BC. Staying true to their ability to fuse different styles of music with the traditional, the brothers have added a percussionist to their already brilliant performance adding a whole new sound and vibe.
For more info on Yoshida Brothers with Percussionist
visit http://www.myspace.com/yoshidabrothers1.
