The Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA) continues its efforts to raise money for the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund with a new cultural event – Oyama X Nitta in a Tsugaru Shamisen concert. Readers of this blog may remember when Toshie Suzuki visited Austin back in September of 2009 and performed in a tsugaru shamisen concert at Casa de Luz.
Oyama x Nitta combines the talents of two of Japan’s foremost tsugaru shamisen performers, Yutaka Oyama and Masahiro Nitta. The tsugaru shamisen is a highly percussive version of the shamisen and has been made popular in recent years by the Yoshida Brothers. Oyama x Nitta, like the Yoshida Brothers, are known for bringing modern sensibility to this ancient folk instrument. They perform both classic and original scores.
Here’s a sample of their work:
Here are the event details:
When: Monday, 4-11-2011 @7:30-8:45pm
Where: St. Matthews Episcopal Church
8134 Mesa Drive Austin, TX 78759
Admission: Reserve online ($20) before the concert. Free for children under 12.
Seating is on a first come first served basis.
Tickets are also available at the door.
Performance starts @7:30pm. Door open @7:00pm.