Umezu, Kazutoki Kiki Band

Alchemic Life

Label: Not Two Records Country: Poland

Saxophonist Kazutoki Umezu Umezu formed his first band, Seikatsu Kojou Iinkai while still a student at Kunitachi Music College in Japan. Active in new jazz, he has played with Ted Daniel's Third World Energy Ensemble, The Sunny Murray Trio, and worked with Lester Bowie, Olu Dara, Joe Bowie, Oliver Lake, William Parker, Rashid Ali, &c. He also played a part in the 80's Downtown NY scene, performing at The Knitting with John Zorn, George Lewis, Tom Cora, and as a member of Third Person. The Kiki band is his current project, blending elements of middle Eastern music, rock and jazz with strong melodic statements and scorching soloing.

Kido Natsuki is an important guitarist in Japanese progressive rock scene, and in the avant-garde improvisation world. He plays with his own bands Bondage Fruit, Pere-Furu, and the all-acoustic band Ware House. In 2002 Richard Sinclair chose Kido for his Japanese unit. He is also a composer, contributing compositions to the Kiki band.

Hayakawa Takeharu is well known as the bassist of the Dr Umezu Band, and Shibusa Shirazu. He has been playing with Umezu since 1978 in the Seikatsu Kojo Iinkai Orchestra. He also performs with his own band, Hayakawa, and has toured with Satoko Fujii.

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