“[Hiromitsu is] a shamisen player from the rock generation” PerformingArts.jp
Hiromitsu Agatsuma is a leading innovator of the shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese musical instrument), renowned for breaking new ground with his fresh approach while converting new fans to his style, which merges rock, pop, jazz and Japanese traditional music.
He began studying the Tsugaru shamisen at the age of six, and has since participated in numerous shamisen competitions and won many prizes, including first prize at the 1988 All-Japan Tsugaru Shamisen Competition and top honours at one of Japan’s most prestigious competitions, the Tsugaru Shamisen National Competition, in 1995 and 1996.
His eponymous debut album AGATSUMA, released by EMI Music Japan in 2001, won Traditional Japanese Music Album of the Year at the 16th Japan Gold Disc Awards. He won it again in 2005 with his sixth album, EN.
Agatsuma has garnered wide acclaim for working with jazz and rock musicians. He has shared the stage with international artists including Marcus Miller, Larry Coryell and Salena Jones.
Performing a wide range of songs from the traditional Tsugaru Jongara Bushi to Piazzolla’s Libertango, Agatsuma will be accompanied this evening by Takuro Iga on piano.
