Kazue Sawai (Koto Performer)
Kazue Sawai began studying the Koto at the age of 8 under the legendary
Michio Miyagi, and is a graduate of the Tokyo National University of Fine
Arts and Music.
In 1979 she and her husband Tadao Sawai established the Sawai Koto Academy.
A leader of the contemporary Japanese music movement, she took a new and
relatively unconventional approach to performing with an extensive Japan
tour, playing anywhere, for anyone with an interest in the koto.
These early touring performances along with the gTriangle Music Tourh
collaborations with composer Toshi Ichiyanagi and percussionist Sumire
Yoshiwara numbered upwards of 70 stages.
Sawaifs album with Ayuo Takahashi, Hiromi Ohta, and Peter Hamill, along
with concerts and recordings produced by the likes of Yuji Takahashi and
john Zorn, attest to the multifaceted approach she takes to her music.
Since 1989, beginning with New Yorkfs Bang on a Can Festival, Mrs.Sawai has
performed at various music festivals throughout Europe and the Americas with
venues including Vienna, the Mels Jazz Festival, and the Paris City Theater.
The Kazue Sawai Koto Ensemble travels extensively, and with approximately 10
international performances a year as part of its continuing world tour, the
group can be found making appearances on various diverse musical stages
around the globe.
Sawai is also active with projects such as gKazue Sawai 360 Degreesh and
Francefs gMusic Actionh, working with young artists of varying genres in
seeking innovative experimental performance situations.
Through such activities, she is opening doors for whole new groups never
before having had the opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of the
kotofs sound.
In other areas Sawai has done improvisational work with Indonesian dancer
Sardon Kusumo, and Korean shaman artist Kim Sokchul. Mrs. Sawaifs work with
renowned Russian composer Sophia Gubaidulina began with improvisation,
leading to CD collaboration and performances of the composerfs works for
koto. The most recent product of their relationship is the koto concerto
commissioned by Japanfs NHK Symphony Orchestra to be premiered and recorded
by Sawai in Japan and America in the spring of 1999.