KotoJazz 3: Koto Jazz Defined vs. Jazz Koto Artists

Koto jazz is a compilation on variations of popular traditional Japanese koto music with a western rhythm. These include Sakura Sakura, Tori No Yo Ni, Rokudan, Midare, and a score of others. Kenji takes these musical pieces and plays them on the piano, varies the sound and tone with western influences of rhythm and beat. He has also created his own Koto jazz pieces Hatchidori Wa Hana Ka[ra] Hana [e tobu] (Hummingbird Flies from Flower to Flower) and Kabutomushi (Rhinoceros Beetle).

This is not to be confused with Jazz Koto, which integrates the koto instrument and sound into western jazz music.  Jazz Koto became popular in the 70s and 80s by such notable western musicians as

June Kuramoto (also see June Kuramoto’s website),

Dorothy Ashby,

Reiko Obata and East-West Jazz,

the fusion jazz band Hiroshima,

Eugene Yamamoto, and

Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto (also see her as a member of the Murasaki Ensemble), and

Masako Naito.

Koto jazz is the opposite. It is its image, as a reflection on still waters.

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