→Pia-no-jaC←

12+ albums

pianoinstrumentaljazzjapanesecajon

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about

→Pia-no-jaC← HAYATO (piano) and HIRO (cajon) formed →Pia-no-jaC← in April 2005, and they specialize in instrumental music just as the duo's name suggests. The name is a combination of "piano" and "cajon", with the latter spelt backwards from the right. Self-taught musically, the simple unit of only keyboards and percussion has crisp and energetic sounds, blending oriental flavors with Japanese spirits. The word "hybrid" best describes their music. Needless to say their live shows are the most striking, where technique, sound and performance are all highlighted at once. It's neither jazz nor classical. "Hybrid Instrumental" is the word, a totally new type of music. Their one and only sound, backed by their strength of simple instrumental style going far beyond language and their inimitably unique live performances and vibrations, is clearly distinctive from others Expanding their live activities as far as Tokyo in recent years, one should not forget their headliner show at Osaka, which was an immediate sellout. With a massive sales score of 2500 CDs yearly, sold exclusively at live →Pia-no-jaC← shows, they have attained the 6000 copies mark so far. They are already becoming quite a sensation in the show business. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

why this is interesting

# →Pia-no-jaC← This duo merits attention for demonstrating how constraint breeds invention. With only piano and cajon, they've constructed a surprisingly expansive sonic world—one that refuses easy categorization. What's compelling is their genuine hybridity: rather than simply layering genres, they seem to think through how Eastern sensibilities and Japanese tradition might reshape Western instrumental forms. Their self-taught approach suggests an honesty about their materials and limitations. Equally notable is their commitment to live performance as essential to the work itself, not merely a vehicle for recorded music. They present a model of musicianship that's simultaneously precise and exploratory.