Masumi Timson
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Confluence, with Richard Crandell
An album of reflective musical collaborations.
The Rabbit on the Moon
Japanese Folktale: The Rabbit on the Moon, adapted and illustrated by Stephen Timson, narrated by Stephen and Masumi Timson, koto music performed by Masumi Timson. This was created for the 2021 virtual Asian and Pacific Islander Day at the Capitol event.
Windows to Japan: A Glimpse of Japanese Culture
Masumi curated a Windows to Japan exhibit at the Salem Multicultural Institute, an opportunity to learn about Japanese music, cultural celebrations, wedding traditions and more. There were a number of classes and activities throughout the exhibit, including a Japanese language class for beginners, koto lessons, a Shakuhachi demonstration, classes on fan and fabric flower making, and story times.
The above photograph is reproduced by the kind permission of the Salem Multicultural Institute. You can find other pictures and descriptions of exhibits here.
Peach Boy
Storytelling: Peach Boy (MomotarÅ), adapted by Phil Berman and illustrated by Gabriela Issa Chacon from a Japanese Folktale. Narrated by Masumi and Stephen Timson, with Koto Music by Masumi Timson.
Matcha Latte (Koto/Violin)
Matcha Latte is a collaboration of the Koto, played by Masumi Timson, and the Violin, played by Fumino Ando. Matcha Latte combines the esoteric nature of traditional and contemporary Japanese music with Tango, Jazz, and Mozart, and blends the instruments and music of Eastern and Western cultures in a moving and uncommon musical synthesis. Their album, Picture Dreams, available on CC Music, blends these two widely divergent instruments in a collection of the most beloved tranditional and contemporary Koto works, to create a vibrant and ambient musical soundscape that soothes and inspires.
The Blue Bird Trio (Koto/Accordion/Piano)
The Blue Bird Trio combines the esoteric nature of traditional Japanese music with thedrama of the Tango, the improvisatory free flowing nature of Jazz, and the transparent beauty of Debussy. Courtney Von Drehle on accordion, Kazue Suzuki on piano andmelodica, and Masumi on Koto, blend the instruments and music of Eastern and Westerncultures in a moving and uncommon musical synthesis. The Blue Bird Trio has performedin Japan and Oregon.
Pink Martini
Masumi has worked frequently with Pink Martini. Here's an example of their collaboration.
Confluence (Koto/Mbira/Guitar)
Collaboration album with Richard Crandell, Mbira and guitar, available at Amazon.
Pacific Bridge
Album from Masumi Timson and Richard Crandell released 2014, Koto and Mbira music The album is available at Amazon, including samples of all tracks. A review can be found here.
All text, images and sounds are under copyright and not to be reused without permission.