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Tsugaru Shamisen by Kevin Kmets
~ Japanese traditional music with a modern twist ~
September 7, 2008 (Sunday) from 12 p.m.
Bellevue Community College Main Campus
GYM (G Bldg) [campus map] Stage
 
Education and Early Background
 


Kevin grew up on an American military base in northern Japan (Aomori prefecture) where as a child he first fell in love with northern Japanese Shamisen music. However in his youth he did not play Shamisen and instead studied classical guitar and cello in high school. From 1990 to 95 Kevin studied music composition, piano, Indian Sitar, and modern guitar at the California institute of the arts school of music.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music he went on to teach piano, guitar and composition throughout Southern California. (Keyboard Galleria, Santa Clarita; Musicians Institute, Hollywood; Saugus high school, Santa Clarita)
 
Shamisen Training
 


At the start of 2003 Kevin returned to Japan and began studying Tsugaru Shamisen with Kazuo Yasukore. He trained daily for three months. In 2004 he returned again and continued with master Akihito Narumi learning the various folk songs of the Tsugaru Shamisen repertoire. Later in 2004 he traveled to Tokyo to study with the world famous Kinoshita Shinichi (World's leading Tsugaru Shamisen virtuoso).
 
Award and Recognition
 


Kevin is the subject of the full length documentary film "The birth of California Shamisen" by Nao Nakazawa (2007)

Has appeared as a Shamisen performer various times on NHK TV (Yamagami Susumu talk show April 2005/Aomori young April 2006/interviewed in the Yamada Chisato documentary 2006 and the Asano Sho documentary 2007).

He has been the featured subject of full length articles in Hougaku journal, Bachi Bachi monthly, and Asahi shinbun.
  • Received "Judges choice award"
    2005 Hirosaki Tsuagru Shamisen All nation championship tournament

  • "Daijo Kazuo Honorary award of achievement"
    2005 Kanagi National Tsuagru Shamisen tournament.

  • "3rd place award"
    2006 Hirosaki

  • "2nd place national champion of Tsugaru Shamisen"
    2006 Kanagi
    (The FIRST foreign citizen in HISTORY to become a second place NATIONAL Champion of Tsugaru Shamisen in Japan).

  • "3rd place"
    2007 Hirosaki

  • "2nd place national champion of Tsuagru Shamisen"
    2007 Kanagi.
 
Professional Background
 


As a Shamisen performer Kevin has toured the United states, Canada, Japan, Scotland and has recorded a C.D. with drummer Dake Weckl (who has worked with Madonna and Chick Corea to name a few). In Los Angeles he's performed with Jennifer Batton (Michael Jackson's guitarist) as well as Hidano Shuichi (Voted the Best Taiko player on Earth) and Masahiro Nitta (Nitta Oyako). He has toured and recorded with world music act Secret Chiefs 3 and has collaborated with Flamenco guitarist el douje.

In 2007 Kevin was featured in the San Fransisco World Music Festival where he played solo shamisen as well as collaborations with Chinese pipa and world percussion.

In addition Kevin is a founding member of the Fishtank Ensemble a group dedicated to combining the world's gypsy and folk music traditions into a modern fusion of exciting new music. He has also formed a wild ROCK BAND based around the Tsuagru Shamisen sound called GOD OF SHAMISEN.

Kevin currently plays Shamisen in the Seattle based eclectic band ESTRADASPHERE and gives recitals, concerts and lectures on the history of Shamisen music in Japan and its relevance to modern world music.


 
 
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