C O N V E R G E N C E – SHINYA FUKUMORI | BJ COLE | IAIN BALLAMY | CHRIS MONTAGUE

For one performance only, four exceptional musicians come together for a unique musical collaboration. They each bring their compositional language to a point of convergence from which new interpretations of songs emerge.

Featuring
from Japan:
Shinya Fukumori – drums / composer
from UK:
BJ Cole – pedal steel guitar / composer
Iain Ballamy – saxophones / composer
Chris Montague – guitar / composer

The programme will feature compositions by all four musicians. Yokohama Calling are very excited to be facilitating this unique meeting of musical talent and the possibilities it will bring. Shinya Fukumori is a composer / drummer and ECM recording artist from Osaka, Japan. Shinya is known for his melodic and rhythmic approach with a wide range of dynamics to drum-set playing and unique and sensitive cymbal-work, which creates a very distinctive sound. Shinya's attention to timbre, detail and space is also reflected in the colour-fields of his freefloating ballads.

Shinya Fukumori's recent album on the ECM label "For 2 Akis" has received great critical acclaim internationally.

BJ Cole is nothing short of a legend of pedal steel guitar. Whether cowriting with the Orb, re-interpreting Roy Orbison with Brian Eno or creating a context for the pedal steel in folk music with Martin Simpson, BJ Cole continues to prove himself the most essential and pioneering pedal steel guitarist in the UK today. BJ has worked with artists as diverse as David Sylvian, Elton John, Marc Bolan, Scott Walker, The Stranglers, Depeche Mode, Beck, Bjork, Sting, John Cale and Tom Jones, earning himself considerable respect as both an innovative and exciting creative force.
"Best Pedal Steel player in the World I'd say .." – Sting

ECM recording artist Iain Ballamy is an internationally recognised saxophonist and composer who has been variously described as urbane, original, freethinking and uncompromising. Highlights of a career spanning over 30 years include playing with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, The Karnataka College of Percussion, John Taylor, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, The Britten Sinfonia, Mike Gibbs, Carla Bley, John Dankworth, etc.

Chris Montague is one of the most innovative guitarists and musicians to emerge from the UK in recent years, He is widely recognised for his skills as a composer and performer. As a composer Chris has received several commissions, including: Royal Academy of Music Big Band, Threads Orchestra, EFG London Jazz Festival and several large guitar ensemble pieces for Hull and London Jazz Festivals. Some of the musicians and bands Chris has worked with have included; Troyka, Squarepusher, Benny Greb’s Moving Parts, Janek Gwizdala, Monocled Man, Django Bates, Colin Town’s Blue Touch Paper, Nick Smart’s Trogon and Trish Clowe’s Tangent.

Yokohama Calling is a producer presenting high-quality Japanese artists in unique cross-cultural events. Our mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding through the universal power of music and arts.