"Yu-Kimo" Shamisen Jazz Music Production

Hi friends and fans!

Thank you so much for checking out our campaign page!

We are reaching out to you to ask for your donation with a new ambitious recording project by guitarist & shamisen player, "Yu Ooka" and keyboardist, "Kimo Cornwell"!

We would like to ask for your with 3 original songs that we’d like to complete and deliver to the public through digital download stores...such as iTunes, CD Baby, Spotify, etc.



**The concept
To create original music with the focus on the "shamisen(Japanese 3-string guitar)" as the main instrument 

**The music: Please listen to the sample!
The music is diverse and you can hear many aspects of different genres such as Smooth Jazz, Rock, R&B, world music etc.

If you are a music lover, we feel you will love what you hear!

　　　　　　　　↓Sample Music↓



**Story from Yu Ooka

"This is the project I have been pursuing for a long time and very meaningful for me."


I came to the US in 2005 to pursue music carrier as a Jazz guitarist and am very fortuned to play with legends and top musicians in LA such as Billy Mitchell, Barbara Morrison, Thelma Houston, The Supremes, Patrice Rushen and many many more.

Soon after coming to US, I started realizing how important to know where I came from.
Then I met this special Japanese instrument, "Shamisen", which is a 3-string Japanese guitar.
I got trained under the shamisen legend, Matsutoyo Sato for 10 years, and received a certified name.

Probably many of you have heard Japanese instruments such as koto and taiko drums, but not much of shamisen.
(specially well-blended one in western music!)

I met Kimo, who is known as the member of legendary, HIROSHIMA.
I have been very fortuned to work with him on different projects, but as soon as we tried materials for this project, I said, "Man!! Kimo knows how to cook shamisen!"

This project has a strong meaning for me because this is something that relates to my roots, Japan.
And also, as a musician, I believe creating original sound is the most important mission, too.

I hope this project can deliver the beautiful Shamisen sound to all over the world with you!

**Story from Kimo Cornwell

Hi, my name is James “Kimo” Cornwell and I’m the keyboard player for the band Hiroshima where I’m also a co-producer, arranger, and songwriter.

I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii where I studied classical piano at the age of 8 for 6 ½ years. As time went on I performed and recorded with many of Hawaii’s popular artists in the music industry.
In 1981 my wife and I decided to move to Los Angeles to continue pursuing my career in music where I have been blessed to work with a lot of amazing artists, some of them legendary, in all fields of music.

I met shamisen/guitarist, Yu Ooka, some years ago when I had the chance to perform with his band, “Minyo Station”.
The band performs Japanese folk music rearranged by Yu with a contemporary spin…very cool!

That started a musical friendship that also includes performing with our artist/musician friends, mainly in the jazz and RnB world, where Yu plays guitar.
We were talking one day and we thought it would be great to do a recording project which would feature the shamisen along with a mix of other musical instruments in a contemporary musical setting.

We’ve been getting together at my home studio to write and develop some song ideas around this ancient instrument which Yu plays so well, and we’re very excited about what we have so far.
We also plan to have some of our amazing musician friends from L. A. bring their special talents to this project. Yu and I love all kinds of music and that will definitely be reflected in the music we plan to create for you.

So if you’re a person who loves music, experiencing new ideas and direction, along with familiar ones, we think you’ll like what you hear. In closing, we hope that we can count on your donation and support, no matter how small…it means a lot!

With much appreciation and gratitude, thank you so very much!!

**Participating Musicians (subject to change)


Yu Ooka - shamisen & guitars
Originally from Osaka, Japan and Los Angeles, US based guitarist
He is also known as a leader of jazzy style Japanese folk music group, Minyo Station.
He has performed at many festivals, TVs, movies and worked with Billy Mitchell, Barbara Morrison, Patrice Rushen, Thelma Houston, The Supremes(FLOS), Janice Johnson(Taste of Honey), Michael Paulo, Garrett Morris, Eric Marienthal and many more.
His first solo album, "Vegas Drive" has been spinning all over the world in US, Asia, and Europe.




Kimo Cornwell - keyboards
Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii
He is a co-producer, arranger, and songwriter for two-time Grammy Award nominee contemporary Jazz fusion group, Hiroshima.(1983 - present)

He has toured and recorded with many artists such as, Al Jarreau, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Ronnie Laws, John Klemmer, Cheryl Lynn (“To Be Real”), Rick Springfield, Peter White, flautist Tim Wiesberg, Julio Iglesias, Howard Hewitt, Barbara Morrisson, Billy Mitchell’s Circle Of Friends, Michael Paulo, Kalapana, Kapono Beamer, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Don Ho and many more.

He has composed music for TV, independent movies, and documentaries, and received 3 gold albums (2 for Hiroshima, 1 for Al Jarreau). In addition, he has received many awards and proclamations from different cities around the US through his work with Hiroshima and  Maze.

His first solo album, “Hawaii State Of Mind” features his original music, and also covers some classic Hawaiian music which he rearranged, that was recorded with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles and Hawaii.




Kenny Endo - taiko drums & percussions (participating from Hawaii)

Kenny Endo is an American musician and taiko master. He is the leader of several taiko ensembles and regularly tours all over the world, performing traditional and contemporary taiko music. Endo is also the first non-Japanese national to receive a natori in the field of hogaku hayashi, Japanese classical drumming. Today Endo composes his own music and plays taiko professionally as a solo artist, with his ensembles, and in collaboration with other artists.

He has played opening for The Who, performing a duet with singer Bobby McFerrin, performing for Michael Jackson and Prince, as well as Princess Diana and Prince Charles. He has performed with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, and the Tokyo Symphony. Endo has recorded music for 3 films: Kayo Hatta’s “Picture Bride,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now,” and James Cameron’s “Avatar.” He was also featured in the PBS special, “The Spirit of Taiko” (2006).


Jervonny "JV" Collier - bass (participating from Los Angeles)

Originally from Detroit, MI
Worked with The Temptations, Earl Klugh, Freda
Payne, the Emotions, Frankie Valli, the Brecker
Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Ben E. King, Tyrone Davis,
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The 5th Dimension, the Pointer Sisters, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. and Norman Connors, Bonnie Raitt, Chic
Corea, Bela Fleck, George Duke, Kirk Whalum, the
Band, Branford Marsalis, and has played bass duets
with Victor Wooten and Christian McBride.

Since 1994, he has been playing with Grammy Award-
winning singer/songwriter Bruce Hornsby.



Kenji "Jino" Hino - bass (participating from Tokyo,  Japan)

Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in New York.
The first call bassist in Japan
He released 3 CDs by King Records in Japan.
He performed with so many major artists in Japan
and U.S. such as Misia, AI, Def Tech, Boyz II Men,
Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Hiram Bullock,
Terumasa Hino, Katsumi Watanabe, Nathan East,
Richard Bona and many more.
He is also known as a composer, arranger, producer.
His composition “Kimi ni Aitakunarukara” for
Japanese singer, Kana Nishino was sold over a
million CDs in Japan.


Land Richards - drums (participating from Los Angeles)

He has worked with so many artists in the US and all over the world.
Worked With: Gerald Albright, Namie Amuro, Asford and Simpson, Eikichi Yazawa, Atushi/Exile, Patti Austin, Phillip Bailey, George Benson, Angela Bofil, Michael Bolton, Ron Brown, Rick Braun, Peabo Bryson, Bobby Caldwell, Larry Carlton, Lahla Hathaway and many more,



Marisa Kosugi - vocals (participating from Los Angeles)

She was born in Berkeley, Ca. 

She is the daughter of Minyo legend, Madame Matsutoyo Sato who is one of the pioneers in bringing Minyo to the United States.  Marisa apprenticed under Japan’s renowned Minyo singer, Madame Makiko Kosugi to learn the traditional style of the Japanese culture and arts.  She apprenticed for 3-years learning the language and etiquette so she would have the capability to assist her mother and continue to share Minyo with others.

Her vocal was featured in movies and CDs including “Dreams of Happiness” of Xcultures by Putumayo World Music and “Cultural Twist” as the main singer of fusion Minyo Group, Minyo Station and more.

**The Fund will be used for...

musicians
productions
studio 
mixing
engineer
art design

**Outcome:
The completed 3 songs will be available for digital downloading through online stores such as ITunes and Spotify etc.

$10, $20,$100 (or more) whatever the support you give would be much appreciated!
Please make sure to leave your email address when you donate, so we can let you know of any updates and say "thank you" directly!



**SPECIAL RETURN PACKAGE**

"GOLD" : who donates $300 or more
=> comes with Free Download of the three songs & Free Download of a special SECRET live performance video!


"SUPER GOLD" who donates $2000 or more
=> comes with Free Download of the three songs & Free Download of a special live performance video  & Special private concert to your place!
(Kimo and Yu will come to your house to do a special private concert within 2 hour drive from LA! Please contact us if your house is located further than that! We may fly over!
After COVID-19 is finished, we will consult to set up a schedule.) 

If you feel like supporting more, please share with your friends!!

Thank you so much! :)

Arigatou & Mahalo!

Yu and Kimo