Tokyo Marimba Trio♪

In 1981, I performed with Yoshikawa and Urabe at an NHK FM recital, which led to the formation of the Tokyo Marimba Trio that same year. I joined the two, who were already performing together, with Yoshikawa in charge of the 1st section, Urabe in charge of the 2nd section, and me in the 3rd section. We were active for over 20 years, regularly giving recitals in halls in Tokyo, appearing on NHK FM’s “Afternoon Recital” and Educational TV, performing with orchestras, concerts all over the country, and touring the United States in 2003 (2004 was our last concert).

　　　　

2003年 Performance in U.S.A

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Tokyo Marimba Trio CD “Charade” 1990 (From the CD Charade booklet)

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The Tokyo Marimba Trio is a unique marimba ensemble formed in 1981 with the desire to “cherish the natural and beautiful sound of wood and perform many pieces that everyone can enjoy listening to.” The members are Masao Yoshikawa, Shigeko Tobe, and Michiko Noguchi. All of them are Japan’s leading marimba players. Strictly speaking, the form of marimba trio has only appeared in the music world in the last 20-30 years worldwide, and the group started its activities from a place where “there were no pieces for this purpose.” Fortunately, many excellent composers who resonated with the group’s activities have sent in valuable original works, and the group is working hard to improve the marimba world in terms of creative activities as well. The wide range of unique repertoire, from classical to popular and ragtime music, is a testament to the Tokyo Marimba Trio’s reliable performance ability, and their wide-ranging activities have established a solid position in the marimba world. In addition to their own recitals, the group also holds salon concerts and school concerts all over the country. He has also appeared as a guest on various NHK programs, including “NHK FM Recital” and “Untitled Concert” (TV Asahi), where he has been highly praised for his outstanding technique and perfect ensemble. In 1990, he also successfully performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Orchard Hall.

　　　　

　　　　　

　　　

About the Kyo Marimba Trio CD album “Charade” Norio Maeda

The marimba is a mysterious instrument. This is even clearer when talking about the xylophone, but it has been around since elementary school, and anyone can easily make a sound by hitting it. It is an instrument that is almost like air, but there are surprisingly few professional players. It is sold at toy stores, so it is a chanted instrument because it would be a problem if it were classified as a toy. Moreover, the Tokyo Marimba Trio plays extremely luxurious, custom-made marimbas. What is really attractive about it is the “tone”. The extremely “elegant” and “simple” natural sound gives us “comfort”.

That’s how it came to be. The result of the democratic management in which the three of them respect each other equally and work towards a common goal is an extremely thrilling yet finely textured sound. Sandwiched between Tobe-san and Noguchi-san, who are technically superb, good-looking, and exceptionally unique characters (I’m not good at talking, so I won’t comment on how unique they are, since they are women), Masao Yoshikawa is a man who has reached the pinnacle of his marimba playing, and is highly regarded not only among music lovers in general but also among his peers, and his perfect technique makes him a true “professional among musicians,” a rare talent that continues to influence many musicians. Moreover, although he graduated from the piano department, he fell in love with the marimba and has been playing it for decades, and if someone is this in love with it, it’s no good for the marimba to even bother. His marimba always sounds “happy.” The sound shines even more because the person playing it is “expressionless.” This CD will interest many people, some of them will become interested in Malta, some will feel nostalgic for American music, some will feel a sense of peace, and I’m sure it will become a valuable addition to your library. I highly recommend going to a live concert.
　　　

CD [The Enka] Tokyo Marimba Trio

　　　　　　　

The most fashionable album! CD”The Enka”
(2016/4/21 Columbia Record) Marimba:Masao YoshikawaShigeko Urabe,Michiko Noguchi　arr；Kazunori Maruyama Everyone knows the super famous Japanese “Enka” Bossa Nova! jazz! Latin! samba! Arranged vigorously!


Kazunori Maruyama
Born in Tokyo in 1959
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts
Kunitachi Music University Associate Professor Official Youtube Channel

Arr. Norio Maeda 前田 憲男 編曲

Norio Maeda was like a patron to the trio. Most of his arrangements were selected by him himself, with the trio in mind. His original work for the trio, “Omozukuma mama ni” is a masterpiece that I highly recommend. It is a work that demonstrates the overwhelming ability of the trio, incorporating the innovative technique of three people playing different beats.

Maeda is a very popular artist and has a packed schedule, so the music is always finished 4 or 5 days before the performance. When the finished music is contacted, Yoshikawa goes to the copy shop “Hustle Copy” in Akasaka to pick it up, delivers it to Urabe-san and me at our house, rehearses the next day, and the performance is the day after that. It was always like that for a studio musician.

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Arr. Masao Yoshikawa 吉川雅夫 編曲

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Arr. Isao Tomita (冨田 勲 ) 編曲

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Original Commissioned works for Tokyo Marimba Trio オリジナル委嘱作品集

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