Yukihiro Isso

Born into a familiy of Japanese Noh flute of Isso School (hayashi-kata fue-kata) which has been playing the instrument since the 16th century, Yukihiro received his initial instruction in Nohkan flute playing from his late father and master Yukimasa Isso . His first Noh stage performance was when he was nine years old.

Yukihiro’s diverse interest and love of music has led him to perform western music, particularly baroque, jazz and world music. Yukihiro has a deserved reputation for improvisation. He is associated with many different forms of the performing arts and has collaborated with top performers in several diverse fields including Cecil Tailor (Jazz piano), Evan Parker (sax), Roger Turner ( percussions), John Edwards (bass), Min Tanaka (butoh dance), Mansai Nomura (kyogen), Kaiji Moriyama (contemporary dance), Kaori Muraji (guitar), as well as the Saltzburg Mozaruteum (Octet).

In 2011 Yukihiro performed Ikuma Dan’s Symphony No. 6 Hiroshima for soprano, nohkan, shinobue and orchestra (1985) with the Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra conducted by Tatsuya Shimono, which went on to receive the 24th Music Pen Club Award (Classical Music Section).

In 2012 Yukihiro started his concert series “Let’s Go to Noh Theatre”, aiming to encourage Japanese audiences to enjoy the experience of Noh theatre. Yukihiro recently appeared in music clubs in London at Café OTO, IKLECTIK and The Victoria in Hackney (Neoclassical) and took London audiences by surprise with his improvisation skill and simultaneous playing of 5 flutes.

Roger Turner

Born 1946, ROGER TURNER grew up amongst the Canterbury musical life of the 1960s with a  strong foundation in jazz. Since 1974 his work has been focused on exploring a more  personal percussion language through the processes of improvisation. Solo performances, connections with experimental rock music & open-form song, extensive collaborations with  dance, film and visual art, and involvements in numerous jazz-based ensembles and workshop residencies have all formed part of that development.

http://www.roger-turner.com/ 

John Edwards

John Edwards is a true virtuoso whose staggering range of techniques and boundless musical imagination have redefined the possibility of the double bass and dramatically expanded its role, whether playing solo or with others. Perpetually in demand, he has played with Evan Parker, Sunny Murray, Derek Bailey, Joe McPhee, Lol Coxhill, Peter Brötzmann, Mulatu Astatke and many others.

"I think John Edwards is absolutely remarkable: there’s never been anything like him before, anywhere in jazz." - Richard Williams, The Blue Moment

Takinojo Mochizuki

One of the most acclaimed and versatile musicians, Takinojo MOCHIZUKI is the master of Japanese traditional percussion instruments used in Noh and Kabuki theatre.Having studied Japanese classical music at Tokyo University of Arts and after being apprenticed to various masters, he now performs contemporary music in collaboration with instrumentalists across cultures and genres.

Takinojo has performed extensively outside Japan. He is passionate about teaching young musicians and is always keen to explore the potential of Japanese percussion instruments to create new music.