A sampling of just a few of the bluegrass artists and groups in Japan
The Blueside of Lonesome has performed at The Station Inn in Nashville, and many other venues in the U.S. Here you can see them perform on the U.S. TV program “Music City Roots” in 2017.
A bluegrass and country singer and multi-instrumentalist, Kaz plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. He is one of the top full-time, professional bluegrass artists in Japan. He produces his own annual bluegrass festival, and regularly appears on the radio and performs often in Japan.
He has released seven solo albums, and has played many festivals and venues in the U.S. and Canada. With his production company, Office White Oak, he organizes concert tours for bluegrass musicians to perform in Japan. He posts often on his YouTube channel and on Facebook, and also on his blog. Much more information is available on his website.
Takumi Kodera released his first album in 2019.
On his website you can purchase recordings and tablature.
His YouTube Channel has nearly 100 videos as of September 2023.
A fantastic, versatile musician, Takumi Kodera was interviewed by Keith Billik on the Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast in 2021.
Thompson the Fox is a contemporary ragtime group which was started in 2016. Members include Rie Koyama on xylophone, Takumi Kodera on banjo, Akihide Teshima on bass, and Tomohito Yoshijima on drums. The musicians have different musical backgrounds, Rie coming from the classical field, Tomohito from Jazz, and Takumi & Akihide from bluegrass. The result is a unique interpretation of ragtime music with the influence of different genres.
Another Scene (Facebook)
“The Original Seldom Scene Tribute Band” (YouTube)