Aaron Jackson (Mandolin) Quitman, Texas -
J.P. Mathes II (Banjo) Elizabethton, Tennessee -
Dan Boner (Guitar) Bridgeton, New Jersey -
Jason Crawford (Bass) Church Hill, Tennessee -
Takeharu Kunimoto (Shamisen) Tokyo, Japan -
Influences
Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, James King, David Grier, Tim Stafford, Carl Story, Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, Blue Highway, Flatt & Scruggs.
Sounds Like
Traditional Bluegrass Music with the usage of a traditional Asian Instrument called the Shamisen. The instrument sound similar to a civil war era fretless banjo.
Record Label
Shammi Records Tokyo, Japan/Now & Then Records USA
Takeharu Kunimoto
Tokyo, Japan – Shami-sen/Mandolin
Kunimoto’s musical journey began when he attended a Bill Monroe concert in Tokyo as a young boy in Japan. He was moved by Mr. Monroe’s music, so much that he decided to play the mandolin. He was a member of several Japanese Bluegrass Bands in high school and college years.
Kunimoto decided to start performing traditional Japanese folk music and storytelling on the traditional Japanese banjo like instrument called the Sami-sen. Since this time he has performed all across the globe included special performances at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and even acting in a Broadway musical called "Pacific Overtures" directed by famed director Steven Sondheim.
These days Kunimoto is performing many shows each month throughout Japan and he often tries to work in a couple of Bluegrass numbers just to tease the fans. Kunimoto was also part of the 2003 Academy Award nominated animation film “Mt. Head”. He provided the music and most of the narration for the production. He can sometimes be seen on several different veriety music and comedy shows on nightly TV in Japan, and performing music on children’s television shows. Nevertheless, Bluegrass Music has called him back, and he is now releasing his second bluegrass project called “Sushi & Gravy”. You may purchase our products at:http://www.etsu.edu/cass/store/
Thanks so much for the add! I saw you guys on Song of the Mountains last months and I was very impressed by Takeharu's playing. Hope to hear more from you guys real soon. God Bless, Ashley :-)
After last night, I'm already jonesing for more.. please say you'll be in the area again soon..? and.. Thanks to you all.. my face hurts today from smiling so much!
After last night, I'm already jonesing for more.. please say you'll be in the area again soon..? and.. Thanks to you all.. my face hurts today from smiling so much!
Great show in Roanoke the other night. Thanks for coming to our fair city. And for covers it doesn't get much better than "White House Blues" and "White Room." I had a blast.
Honto ni arigato gozaimasu for the add, fellas! I'm in Osaka Japan right now pickin' on a Shamisen or two, and listening to old time music; who ever thought there's be such a nice blend?
Thanks for the add. I am looking forward to seeing you in Japan. I hope you liked my photos of you guys in Austin. I wrote a piece on your tour in Japan and hope you like it.. if you understand Japanese...
