Joji Hirota is a multi-instrumentalist from Japan, especially famed for his percussion. He specializes in traditional Japanese music, and plays such instruments as taiko drums and the shakuhachi (a Japanese flute). He is very active on the world music scene, recording for Peter Gabriel's Real World label and touring with WOMAD.

Early career

Hirota was born in Hokkaido, Japan's serene northern island, and studied percussion from an early age. He attended university in Kyoto, then became the musical director/percussionist at the Red Buddha Theater.

First albums

He released his first album, Sahasurara, as George Hirota in 1976, although today this album is extremely hard to find. In 1977 he toured the world with the Lindsay Kemp Dance Company, which produced the award-winning "Onnagata", which he wrote and performed. A second solo album, The Wheel of Fortune (credited this time to Joji Hirota) followed in 1981. Both of these early solo albums are out of print, only available on hard-to-find vinyl.

Learning taiko

Itto Oba, a taiko master living in Hokkaido, taught Hirota the art of Japanese taiko drumming. Hirota absorbed all he could about the craft, and later apply traditional techniques to a new, international type of music that melded Eastern and Western music.

Outside Japan

Hirota formed the groundbreaking group Joji Hirota and The Taiko Drummers in the early 1980's, which can be heard on the fantastic Japanese Taiko album. He joined WOMAD in 1986 as a solo percussionist.

Trisan

Soon after he formed an ensemble called Trísan with Chinese percussionist/flautist Guo Yue and Pol Brennan from the Irish group Clannad. Trísan toured Europe, Japan and North America, releasing a popular self-titled instrumental album in 1993.

Hirota has worked with many musicians comprising many different styles, in many different countries. The 1990's saw a flurry of activity, which has mostly continued, although he has slowed down his pace in recent years.

Collaborations

He has worked extensively in Europe as well as Asia, North America, Australia and South Africa. Some of the names that have crossed paths with Joji Hirota include:

Jah Wobble
1996 tour of Italy
Pete Lockett
The Taiko to Tabla album and a 1998 tour of Belgium and Holland
Anthony Phillips
the Time and Tide TV soundtrack
London Metropolitan Orchestra String Ensemble
The Gate album and a Japanese tour in 2002
Elizabeth Ogilvie and the Scottish Flute Trio
2003's "The Waterfall of Time Suites"

Hirota formed a new group, Tozai, in 2001. Tozai toured the UK that year, and afterwards Hirota found time to play at the WOMAD festival in Reading.

Joji Hirota specializes in expanding traditional Japanese percussion into exciting new areas. His international stature and busy schedule have made it easy for fans to hear him live or on CD.

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