r101 session
Schedule:
No.01 Kinshi Park Main Stage: 15th(sat) 10:50-11:30
Member:
Esther Thirimu: vocal
Ami Ide: vocal
Takashi Komata: alto sax
Kuniya Kamata: tenor sax
Yuichi Kobayashi: tenor sax
Takumi Fukuoka: baritone sax
Nobuhiro Kawasaki: trumpet
Saki Kawaguchi: trumpet
Takayasu Oe: trombone
Nozomi Oka: violin
Naoko Okui: piano
Masahiro Takahashi: percussion
Kazoo Okoshi: drums
Hideyuki Kido: bass
Wataru Usami: guitar
The band began to take shape on June 23, 2013 when Wataru (guitarist/arranger) invited musicians with a rare combination of skill and fun to a jam session at an Akihabara studio.
Dedicated to the art of entertainment, r101 session delivers riveting performances at music festivals all over Kanto, making a name for itself in the live music scene.
Vocalist Esther was raised in a musical family, as evidenced by the global attention garnered online by a version of My Favourite Things she recorded with her talented sister. Having made the bold decision to leave her homeland to start a music career in Japan, Esther continues to charm listeners far and wide with her unique background and unprecedented singing voice.
The formidable groove is a marriage between the driven stylings of drummer Kazoo Okoshi, who established a career in the LA music scene after studying under the renowned Mike White, and Cuban-born Japanese bassist Juan Pablo Kido, who cut his teeth playing day and night in salsa clubs across the island.
Komachi, an established entity in the Tokyo blues and rock music scene, holds up the horn section, breathing life into Wataru's ambitious musical arrangements.
The members' divergent musical backgrounds blend harmoniously over a soul-driven groove, creating a musical experience that is ultimately enjoyable, and listeners cannot help but embrace the joy welling up in their hearts as they yearn for more.
Esther Thirimu: vocal
Pulling from her deep gospel, RnB, Jazz, soul and rock root in Kenya where she comes from, Esther is bringing her unique musical background to Tokyo. Having already made her television debut in Japan and provided backup vocals for major artists, she is actively involved in the live music circuit. She also delves into acting every now and then