In Japanese, there is a poetic expression, kaze kaoru gogatsu — “the fragrant May breeze”. This phrase evokes the gentle breezes of early summer, filled with the scent of fresh greenery, where the vibrancy of life meets a quiet, lingering stillness.
With both the Japanese flutes and percussion, I aim to capture the whisper of the wind, the rustle of trees, and the shimmer of light in sound, gently touching the hearts of you, the listeners.
A subtle connection between sound and silence, this is an invitation to listen deeply — to the shifting seasons, and to the quiet within.
Program
Kazekaoru Gogatsu — shinobue improvisation
Fugaku Sanjurokkei — ojimedaiko improvisation
Arch — for koto and shinobue and looping
Whirlpools — for flutes and noh kan
Ryo-Oh — The young masked king
Sengoku — Warring states
Unadorned — for Yurie
With Support from Forest Hills Asian Association
Acclaimed composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe’s work is grounded in traditional Japanese music, yet infused with elements of jazz, improvisation, and experimental music. His signature skill of merging the music, literature, and aesthetic philosophies of Japan with disparate styles and mediums has made him a much-in-demand collaborator working with such iconic artists as André 3000, Yo-Yo Ma, Wes Anderson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Laurie Anderson, Jason Moran, and Japanese National Living Treasure Bando Tamasaburo. A trained jazz musician, he became the first American to serve as both a performer and artistic director of the groundbreaking Japanese taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo.
In 2024, Watanabe launched Bloodlines Interwoven, a multifaceted festival and ensemble celebrating diaspora through music and storytelling.