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The Yoshida Brothers, a dynamic Tsugaru-shamisen duo, will demonstrate how you can rock & roll with the shamisen in their Hong Kong debut tomorrow and on Sunday (October 28 and 29) at 8pm at the Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium.
With improvisational techniques, they will transform classic Japanese sounds to energetic world music.
Sporting dyed brown hair, the stylish brothers have been a huge hit among young trend-setters. They reveal themselves to be the epitome of cool as they coax striking sounds from their classical instruments, reinventing shamisen music for a new generation by incorporating elements of jazz, American folk, pop, Latin music, blues and more.
Originating in China, the three-string Shamisen was further developed in the Tsugaru district of Aomori Prefecture. It evolved into one of the most important instruments for Japan's folk singers in the 18th century, and a solo instrument in the mid-19th century.
Born in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida both started learning the traditional instrument at a young age under Tsugaru-shamisen master The First Takashi Sasaki and have won numerous awards in recent years for combining traditional and contemporary music into dynamic new works with a rock & roll edge.
"Yoshida Brothers" is one of the programmes of the New Vision Arts Festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Tickets priced at $320, $220 and $120 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Group booking discounts are up to 20% off.
Ends/Friday, October 27, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:14
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