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Mitsuki Dazai Concert Calendar


Recent & Upcoming 2009 Performances

April 11th 3 PM - 5 PM
Special Event for Japanese-American Community
Portland Japanese Garden
Members Only


April 14th 11:30 AM
Koto Performance for the Japanese Culture Club
Columbia Basin College
2600 North 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 547-0511
Free Admission


April 19th 2 PM
Japanese Koto Music Performance
At Hollywood Library
4040 NE Tillamook St., Portland, OR 97212
(503) 988-5391
Free Admission


April 24th 7 PM
The Dragon Kiln Crosses Cultures
Jack Troy (Lecture)
Mitsuki Dazai (Japanese Koto Performance)
Performing Art Center of Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103
Open to the Public
More information, call Richard Rowland (503) 338-2449
or email Any Hankins ccc-ceramicworkshops@live.com


April 25th 1:30 PM
Sakura Festival At Uwajimaya Plaza
Mitsuki Dazai, Yukiko Vossen & Aki Kitagawa
10500 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR 97005
(503) 643-4512
Free Admission


June 7th 2 PM
Showcase of Japanese Music
Performed by Zinta Sovers (koto, shamisen, 17 string bass koto)
Mituski Dazai (koto, 17 string bass koto)
& Larry Tyrrell (shakuhachi)
Oregon Latvian Center
5500 SW Dosch Rd, Portland, OR 9723
(503) 246-9482


October 2nd, 3rd and 4th 6-8:30 PM
O-Tsukimi: Moonviewing
Portland Japanese Garden
For reservation, call (503) 542-0280
or email events@japanesegarden.com
For more information visit www.japanesegarden.com/events/moonviewing


To hear samples of Mitsuki's music
visit her pages at
North Pacific Music and CD Baby

Other 2009 Performances

Free Performances at Selected Libraries

Beginning in January and running through March, Mitsuki is giving several free performances at selected libraries.
This is a part of their celebration of Oregon Reads 2009* which focus on Japanese culture.

If you live close and have the opportunity, please make plans to visit
one of these uniquely intimate library performances and enjoy her koto music!
                January
    16th (Fri) 6:30 PM Corvallis Library

February
    3rd (Tue) 7 PM Lake Oswego Public Library
    9th (Mon) 6:30 PM West Linn Public Library
    21st (Sat) 10 AM Hillsdale Library

March
    7th (Sat) 1 PM Astoria Library
    10th (Tue) 7 PM Salem Library
    15th (Sun) 3 PM Lincoln City Library

                
* The selected book is Stubborn Twig, written by Eugene author Lauren Kessler.
Stubborn Twig is the true story of three generations of a Japanese-American family,
spanning across the 20th century in Hood River, Portland and Eugene.

Mitsuki's Additional Performances in January & February 2009

January 17th (Sat)
Japan Night at the University of Oregon
with her student, Ariyon Kawai

February 14th (Sat)
Asian Celebration with her students
Zinta Sovers & Ariyon Kawai

2008 Performances

Full House in France!

 Mitsuki had a tour in France with International Harmonica virtuoso Joe Powers (www.joepowers.com). This unique combination was truly welcomed at the Harmonica Sur Cher (International Harmonica Festival) on the 3rd of May. Mitsuki was invited to this festival in conjunction with the 150th year anniversary of the Japan-France relationship. She also performed at Maison du Japon in Paris on the 4th of May.

"It was a very exciting tour and I really enjoyed introducing the koto to a new audience. I'm honored to play with Joe Powers, whose musical talent brought him back to the festival for the second year.

I would like to express my thanks to Ms. Miwa Lieberherr and Ms. Kimiko King from PanMusica www.panmusica.net. They did a wonderful job building a communication bridge beween America and France. I also appreciate the support of the Consulate General of Japan in Portland, Oregon, and Northwest Airlines. Traveling with the koto is always difficult but their efforts made the trip a smooth one." Mitsuki

Mitsuki traveled to Eastern Europe in February!
As a member of "Koto & Shakuhachi Quintet", she traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Zagreb, Croatia with five performances and one workshop.

Mitsuki performed at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho
on 29th of February and 1st of March.
She played some solo repertoire
and also improvised with a guitarist Craig Green.

10th of July
Mitsuki performed at the Portland Japanese Garden
45th Anniversary Garden Gala. 		     


For more information about
Mitsuki's upcoming performances
visit her Concert Calender page.

To hear samples of Mitsuki's music
visit her pages at
North Pacific Music and CD Baby

August 2008 Performances

First Friday At The Library

Misuki's Solo Performance

Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive Streets
Eugene, Oregon

Friday, August 1, 2008
6:00 pm «» Free admission!


Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration

During the floating of the commemorative candles, people will be asked to reflect on the hope that nuclear weapons will never be used again and to make a wish for peace. Mitsuki will perform at the celemony at dusk but the event start at 7 pm.

Alton Baker Park, Downtown
Eugene, Oregon

Wednesday, August 6, 2008
7:00 pm «» Free admission


Yerba Buena Garden Festival

Mitsuki will perform as a member of Sawai Koto School

San Francisco, California

Thursday, August 14, 2008
12:30 pm

For more information, please visit www.ybgf.org/index.php

Some Previous Performances

Mitsuki's Solo Performance

At The Sakura Festival

Uwajimaya Plaza
10500 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
Beaverton, Oregon

Saturday, April 19, 2008
11:00 am
For More Information: (503) 643-4512



Mitsuki's Solo Performance

At The Ceramic Showcase by Oregon Potters Association

Oregon Convention Center
On MAX Light Rail line
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Portland, Oregon

Friday, April 25, 2008
7:00 pm
For More Information visit www.oregonpotters.org

Bookmark This Website For Updates On Performances

Uwajimaya 10th Anniversary
Saturday, 17th of May at Uwajimaya Plaza

Moonviewing Event
Sunday through Tuesday, 14th-16th of September at the Portland Japanese Garden

An Evening of Japanese Music

Special Guests
Kazue Sawai (koto, jushichigen)
Peter Hill (shakuhachi)
Joe Powers (harmonica)

Kazue Sawai is a 17-string bass koto player (as well as a player of the standard 13-string) with a wide repertoire ranging from koto classics to contemporary commissioned works as well as collaborations with jazz musicians. She began her studies at the age of eight with Michio Miyagi and graduated from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. She made her debut at a joint recital with her husband, Tadao Sawai. Along with her husband, she is a co-founder of the Sawai Koto Institute in Tokyo.

"Kazue Sawai is a Vladimir Horowitz of the Koto!" -Michael Hoppe, Grammy Award nominated composer .

Thursday, January 17, 2008
7:00 pm doors 7:30 pm show, All Ages, Free Parking

University of Portland Buckley Center Auditorium
5000 N. Willamette Boulevard Portland, Oregon
Free Parking

TICKETS: $15 advance, $20 at the door

For more information: Producer Mitsuki Dazai (541) 513-6417 www.kotomelodies.com
or Shogun's Gallery (503) 224-0328 www.shogunsgallery.com

Marylhurst University Faculty Recital

Mitsuki Dazai performs traditional Japanese music on the koto

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 12:30 pm

Marylhurst University, Wiegand Recital Hall
17600 Pacific Highway (HWY 43) Marylhurst, Oregon

TICKETS: Free Admission

For information, call 503-699-6263

Sounds of Japan: Shakuhachi & Koto

Traditional and modern music
with Koto Artist Mitsuki Dazai
and Shakuhachi Master Peter Hill

Saturday, November 3rd, 2007 - 2 PM

Oregon Buddhist Temple
3720 SE 34th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

TICKETS: $10 Bento Box $10
Tickets also available at Shogun's Gallery: 1111 NW23rd, Portland, OR (503-224-0328)
Following the performance, those who have reserved a bento are invited to join us as we meet our performers.

Questions: 503 345 8543 or ttomiko@yahoo.com
541-513-6417 or mizki@centurytel.net

The University of Oregon School of Music and Dance Presents

World Music Series

Music of JAPAN

Mitsuki Dazai, koto    Peter Hill, shakuhachi

Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 - 8:00 p.m.

GERLINGER ALUMNI LOUNGE
1484 University St. - Eugene, Oregon

TICKETS: $12 General Admission, $8 Students & Seniors; available at the door.
Gerlinger is wheelchair accessible; for special seating needs, call Janet Stewart at 346-5679.
www.music.uoregon.edu

Mitsuki Dazai is a graduate of Japan's renowned Kunitachi College of Music, and completed studies in traditional and contemporary koto music at the Ikuta School and the Sawai Koto Conservatory. She is active in solo and ensemble concerts and festivals throughout the U.S. and Japan. Mitsuki's musical background is diverse as a performer, innovator, and arranger. Her performances often incorporate western, pop, and improvisational elements, challenging the many voices of the koto.

Peter Hill is one of the foremost performers and authorities on the shakuhachi outside of Japan. He began his studies in Kyoto in 1988, eventually spending seven years learning from master players, including grandmaster Yokoyama Katsuya, from whom he received his master teaching license. In 2002 Solo and duet presentation of Japanese music, from traditional to contemporary Hill won first prize in the New King of Shakuhachi Competition in Tokyo - the first foreign player to win this prize.

FREE Lecture-Demo Saturday, Oct. 27 - 3 p.m. Gerlinger Alumni Lounge

For more info, contact Mark Levy at 346-2852 or e-mail mlevy@uoregon.edu
Co-sponsors: Japan Foundation, UO Center for Asian & Pacific Studies,
UO Office of International Programs, and Oregon Humanities Center

62nd Anniversary Hiroshi & Nagasaki Commemoration

Hello!
I just want to let you know that I will perform on Sunday, the 5th of August at Alton Baker Park (at the Duck Pond) around 8:30PM for the 62nd Anniversary Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration.

I moved to Eugene area in May of 2002. In August, I read an article about this event on Register Guard and, as a Japanese, I was very impressed and moved...
The next year I got a phone call and was asked to play at this event and since then I join them every year.
I play my koto at the lantern ceremony.
It is a special moment as a musician.. playing my instrument praying for the peace.
I know that in the US, there are people from whole over the world. They have different background, different culture, different language, different religion, and different politics.

But there must be a time we should forget about the DIFFERENCE and just hope to have a peaceful world.

For me, this is the time.

If you want to share the special time with me, please come!

For more information, call JNW 521-0596 or CALC 485-1755.

Sincerely,
Mitsuki Dazai

Friday, June 22nd at Seattle's Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park

A KOTO-SHAKUHACHI DIALOGUE

Hougaku means traditional Japanese music, from the Zen-inspired solo shakuhachi (bamboo flute) pieces of the Komuso, the "Monks of Nothingness" of medieval Japan, to the ethereal solo koto (harp) pieces of the Edo period (1603-1867), to dynamic modern works of the late 20th century. as Peter Hill (shakuhachi) and Mitsuki Dazai (koto) present solo pieces and duets that range across the whole palette of this wonderfully rich musical tradition.

About the Artists

Seattle's own Peter Hill spent 7 years in Japan studying the shakuhachi with some of Japan's best players, including grandmaster Katsuya Yokoyama, and is one of only a handful of shakuhachi players outside of Japan to have mastered what is often called the world's most expressive (and difficult) wind instrument. His performances have thrilled and mesmerized audiences both here and in Japan, and he has won some of the highest praise and honors ever bestowed on a non-Japanese player.

Majoring in classical voice at renowned Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, Mitsuki Dazai was drawn to non-western traditional music. Fascination with ethnomusicology brought her full-circle to the traditional instrument of her own country, the koto. Noting the cultural veneration for this instrument, she pursued studies in contemporary koto music under modern Koto Masters Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai. Her musical resume is both diverse and extensive: composing, arranging, innovating and performing koto music in different styles and venues.

Doors open at 7:30PM and the performance begins at 8PM.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 advancepurchase, and $10 for students and seniors.

Seattle's Asian Art Museum
1400 East Prospect Street
Volunteer Park
Seattle, WA 98112-3303
For advance ticket purchases or further information email pnwshakuhachi@yahoo.com or call 206-276-4802

Past Performances

2007

4/21 Sakura Festival at Uwajimaya Plaza in Beaverton, OR
3/31 Mitsuki Dazai's CD Release Party Oregon Wine Warehouse in Eugene, OR
3/24 Mistuki Dazai's CD Release Party Shogun's Gallery in Portland, OR
2/24, 25 "Music of the Far East Redux" Concert of Choral Arts Ensemble in Portland, OR
2/17 Asian Celebration in Eugene, OR
2/12 Chante'n Chante concert in Tokyo, Japan
1/31 "Music At Midweek " at University of Portland, OR
1/26 "Music Today" at University of Oregon in Eugene, OR

2006

11/6 An Evening of Japan's Musical Heritage at Whitsell Auditorium Portland Art Museum in Portland, OR
10/26 Boise State University in ID
9/29 Sawai Kazue concert in Seattle, WA
8/5 Obon Festival at Buddhist Temple in Portland, OR
7/13 Oregon Bach Festival at Hult Center in Eugene, OR
6/26, 27 Zen Music of Japan in Seattle, WA
6/24 World Beat Festival, Salem, OR
5/27 Ensemble East & West at Eastern Oregon University, OR
5/13 "World of Songs" at Portland Conservatory of Music in Portland, OR
4/22 Sakura Festival in Beaverton, OR
3/17, 18 Koto Phase concerts in Chicago, IL
3/2, 3 Japan Festival in Boise, IH
2/18 Asian Celebration in Eugene, OR
1/22,25 Ensemble East & West concerts in Portland, OR

2005

10/1 Agnieszka Laska Dancers "Autumn" Majestic Theater in Corvallis, OR
9/17 Festival Japan in Portland, OR
8/27 Moriah Rendezvous in Sheridan, OR
7/24 Art & Wine Festival in Portland, OR
6/25 Art Festival in Roseburg, OR
6/12 Musical Moment 05 in Portland, OR
5/30 Folklife Festival, Seattle, WA
5/7, 8 Koto Phase concert "Hibiki" in Chicago, IL
4/30 Sakura Festival in Beaverton, OR
2/15 Asian Celebration in Eugene, OR

About The Koto | Biography | CDs | Concert Calendar | Performances & Lessons | Paulownia Music
Home Page | Contact Us | Links | Email: mizki@centurytel.net
© Copyright 2009 Mitsuki Dazai. All Rights Reserved.