Kokoo was formed by Akikazu Nakamura in 1995. Kokoo’s music is exclusively
played on the traditional Japanese instruments shakuhachi (bamboo flute)
and koto (transverse harp), but the group’s unique, highly virtuosic sound
incorporates a multitude of extended techniques as well as elements of
rock, jazz improvisation, Western classical music and the experimental
avant garde.
The Tokyo-based group has performed at festivals and venues around the
world, including the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival (Finland), the Festival
of Japan in New Zealand, the Kita-Kyushu International Music Festival,
the Japan Society of New York, the Eastman School of Music, the Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Freer Gallery
in Washington, D.C.
The Kokoo albums Zoom (1999) and Super-Nova (2000) were released by King
Records; the EP Moon (2001) was a Nippon Columbia release. Kokoo is currently
recording its third full-length album.
The Tokyo-based group has performed at festivals and venues around the world, including the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival (Finland), the Festival of Japan in New Zealand, the Kita-Kyushu International Music Festival, the Japan Society of New York, the Eastman School of Music, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C.
The Kokoo albums Zoom (1999) and Super-Nova (2000) were released by King Records; the EP Moon (2001) was a Nippon Columbia release. Kokoo is currently recording its third full-length album.