Hiroshima (band)

Hiroshima is an American jazz fusion band formed in 1974 by Sansei Japanese American Dan Kuramoto (wind instruments and band leader), June Kuramoto (koto), Johnny Mori (percussion and taiko), and Danny Yamamoto (keyboards and drums). Named for the Japanese city of Hiroshima, the band is best-known for the fusing of Japanese music and other forms of world music into its playing. Its early jazz-pop R&B sound gave the group a huge following among the African American community and they are regarded as musical pioneers among the Asian American and Japanese American community.

Hiroshima became popular in the smooth jazz community upon the release of its 1985 album "Another Place", which spawned the crossover hit "One Wish."

The highlight of Hiroshima's career was being the opening act for the Miles Davis 1990 world tour. Since then, despite moving towards new age music, the group continues to gain a wider audience for its music.

June Kuramoto is the only founding member who is not American-born. She was born in Saitama-ken and moved to Los Angeles at a young age.

The band was featured in a 1976 documentary titled Cruisin' J-Town, directed by Duane Kubo. The group wrote an original song titled "The Moon is a Window to Heaven" for the 1989 film "".

Hiroshima is still active after 20 years of creating music. Its latest album, "Little Tõkyõ", continues the group's style of Jazz fused with Asian instruments and synthesized, which sounds like no one else. In its personal statement the group said, "For us, its always about being different. Its vital to "not" be the same. We embrace our sound." [ [http://www.hiroshimamusic.com/pages/framebios.html Bottom Frame scales ] ]

Members

*Dan Kuramoto (1974-present) (Flute)
*June Kuramoto (1974-present) (Koto - ancient Japanese instrument)
*Johnny Mori (1974-present)
*Danny Yamamoto (1974-present)(many instruments, mainly drums)
*Kimo Cornwell (present)(Keyboard)
*Dean Cortez (present)(Bass Guitar)
*Shoji Kameda (present)(Taiko, vocalist)
*Barbara Long (vocalist, 1979 album "Hiroshima" 1985 album "Another Place")
*Margaret Sasaki-Taylor "Machun" (vocalist, 1989 album "East")
*Jeanette Clinger (vocalist, 1992 album "Providence")
*Terry Steele (vocalist, 1999 album "Between Black & White")

Discography

*"Hiroshima" (Arista/BMG) 1979
*"Odori" (Razor & Tie/BMG) 1980
*"Third Generation" (Epic/CBS) 1983
*"Another Place" (Epic/CBS) 1985
*"Go" (Epic/CBS) 1987
*"East" (Epic/CBS) 1989
*"Providence" (Epic/SME) 1992
*"L.A." (Qwest/Reprise/Warner Bros.) 1994
*"Urban World Music" (Qwest/Warner Bros.) 1996
*"Between Black and White" (Windham Hill/BMG) 1999
*"The Bridge" (Heads Up) 2003
*"Spirit of the Season" (Heads Up) 2004
*"Obon" (Heads Up) 2005
*"Little Tõkyõ" (Heads Up) 2007

References

External links

* [http://www.hiroshimamusic.com Official Web Site]
* [http://asianamericanmedia.org/rf_cms/index.php?cmd=showPage&page_id=1.4.1.2.42&section=1.4 Cruisin' J-Town, distributed by the Center for Asian American Media]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKTTJ7zZfYQ Music Video: "One Wish"]
*Allmusicguide|id=11:aifrxqt5ldde|label=Hiroshima