Japanese Orchestra WAIANKOZO

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 20 Apr 2009 1:18 pm

I ran across this Orchestra as a result of Mr. Jackiso post on LION. This video of "Beyond the Reef" with an all Japanese orchestra featuring the Steel Guitar is like a dream come true. Who is this orchestra and what was the event for Hawaiin Music. This was a huge orchestra with a just great arrangemet. When I was playing it everyone in the house complimented the music.

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 20 Apr 2009 2:18 pm

Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTBABEVyp_k

I have never heard steel with a full orchestral string section--really amazing to hear steel in that context.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 20 Apr 2009 2:30 pm

Tried to Google the name, but no response. There was also a brass section with Frentch Horns and Trumpets I wonder if there are any albums, Maybe Mr. Jackiso knows, I will try E-Mailing him.

Jackiso · Post by **Jackiso** » 20 Apr 2009 4:59 pm

Who is this orchestra?

It's a professional classical orchestra called "Tokyo Philharmony Orchestra" who was perhaps hired for the particular TV program produced by NHK Broadcating. Sometimes they use their own orchestra, NHK Philharmonic.

What was the event for Hawaiin Music?

This is off a TV program, whose title I don't know,
produced by NHK Television. They put this kind of popular music program on air from time to time, in/toward summer for Hawaiian music. This program sounds very Hawaiian owing much to the tasteful arrangement by renowned pop music arranger(also conductor for the program)Kenjiro Hirose. Also Lion was given much freedom in playing what he liked.

Tried to Google the name, but no response.

Well, WAIANKOZO is an ID name of a Lion student who posted many interesting videos recorded off NHK broadcast. FYI, WAIAN is abbreviation of HAWAIIAN and KOZO means A KID or A NUT, together A Hawaiian Music Nut.
Jack Isomura
Yokohama, Japan

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 20 Apr 2009 9:34 pm

I have no idea of the event, (lots of them like that in Japan), or the orchestra. However the steel player sure looks to be Kyoshi "Lion" Kobayashi who is also a marvelous jazz pianist. He's an amazing steel guitarist on both pedal and Hawaiian.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 20 Apr 2009 9:49 pm

The Japanese have made substantial contributions to the perpetuation of Hawaiian steel guitar.

Kyoshi "Lion" Kobayashi not only is a fine jazz pianist, excellent steel guitarist, but he is also a Master Teacher of steel guitar.
He has taught many in Japan.
He not only teaches them but he showcases them.
That means he puts them before audiences to play and hone their skills.

Those of us with the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn owe much to him and his support.

In the HSGA Hawaiian Steel Guitar Convention in Honolulu the number of Japanese participants now outnumber the participants from the USA. That is the degree of interest in Japan.

Aloha,

Don