Akira Jimbo

Akira Jimbo
Born (1959-02-27) February 27, 1959
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres Jazz, Fusion
Occupation(s) Drummer, songwriter, record producer, Drums Clinician
Instruments drums
Years active 1979–present
Associated acts Casiopea, Jimsaku

Akira Jimbo, also seen as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰 Jinbo Akira, born February 27, 1959 in Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese freelance jazz fusion drummer who is famous for his drumming independence and fusion of electronic drum technology and acoustic drums. Aside from his solo work, he is also the drummer in the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea and has participated in various side projects with other musicians, including Keiko Matsui, Shambara, bassist Brian Bromberg. He is the main product presenter of Yamaha Drums Japan.

Background

Akira Jimbo began drumming at the age of 15 when he joined the Keio University Light Music Society Big Band. He became famous through his playing with Casiopea during the years 1979-1989. These days Casiopea is recording again with Jimbo, who returned in 1997. During his solo career he formed Jimsaku-duo with Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. Recently, he has been working with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square in the drum-duo Synchronized DNA and have together performed in a series of concerts with Casiopea.

Akira Jimbo has a unique drumming style which is best demonstrated in his drum videos and at his drum clinics. By using the DTX drum triggering system, he is able to play a full band sound without a backing track.

In 1999, Akira Jimbo was awarded 2nd place in the British drum magazine RHYTHM for most popular drummer. In June 2000, he became the first Asian drummer to be featured on the cover of the American Modern Drummer magazine. He also appeared in the Modern Drummers Festival in 2000, which is available on DVD.

More recently Jimbo has assisted in the design of the new K Custom Hybrid Series of cymbals by Zildjian. His drum hero is Steve Gadd.

Drum setup

One aspect of Jimbo's drumming is the unique setup of drums. Using Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals, along with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create an array of different sounds and styles from his drumset. Jimbo points out that his mounted toms are aligned perfectly so that no one drum is lower or higher than the other, a method he applies to the floor toms as well.

Current Setup

Acoustic Drums

Cymbal

Electronic Drum Trigger

History

Drum Sets

Signature Snare Drums

Discography

Solo Albums

Year Albums
1986 Cotton
1989 Palette
1990 JIMBO
1991 SLOW BOAT
1992 PENGUIN PARASOL
1993 LIME PIE
1994 PANAMA MAN
1995 ROOMS BY THE SEA
1996 Flower
1997 Stone Butterfly
2007 Four Colors
2008 Get Up!
2009 Jimbomba
2010 Jimbo Gumbo
2011 Jimbo Jamboree
2012 Smile Smile
Jimbo de Cover
2013 Mind Scope
Jimbo de Cover 2
Year Compilation Albums
1994 BEACH PICNICS Vol.1
BEACH PICNICS Vol.2
1997 Pacifica
2010 Jimbest

Unit Albums

Year Albums
CASIOPEA
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
Shambara
1989
  • Shambara
JIMSAKU
1990
  • JIMSAKU
1991
  • 45 ℃
1992
  • JADE
  • VIVA !
1993
  • 100%
  • WIND LOVES US
1994
  • NAVEL
1995
  • BLAZE OF PASSION
  • BEST SELECTION
1996
  • DISPENSATION
1997
  • MEGA db
CASIOPEA Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band
1997
  • LIVE IN YOKOHAMA
1998
  • II ~September~
1999
  • III ~My Favourite~
Intelligent JAZZ
2000
  • IV ~La Rumba~
  • intellijent JAZZ #1
2001
  • MAIN GATE
  • V ~La Noche Tropical~
ヒダじんぼ
2002
  • VI ~En Vivo~
  • LIVE2002(DVD)
  • SkyAndGround
  • BRIDGE
JB Project
2003
  • VII ~Spain~
  • Brombo!
2004
  • VII ~The Covers~
  • Stevie is wonderful
  • Brombo! 2
Synchronized DNA (DVDs)
2005
  • IX ~Mas Tropical!~
  • JAZZ ONLY LIVES TWICE
  • Double Drum Performance
  • LIVE TOUR 2005
Pyramid
2005
  • Pyramid
2006
  • TELEPATH
  • X ~Swing con Clave~
  • 10th Anniversary Live (DVD)
  • Stevie is wonderful More
  • Double Drum Performance 2
2007
  • XI ~Let's Groove~
  • ARE YOU SYNCHRONIZED ?
2008
  • XII ~The Originals~
2009
  • XII ~Fantasy~
2010
  • XIII ~Liberty City~
2011
  • PYRAMID3

Solo Videos

Year Title Media
1992 Metamorphosis VHS
1995 PULSE VHS
1997 Independence VHS
1999 Evolution VHS
2003 Wasabi DVD
2003 Fujiyama DVD
2004 Solo Drum Performance ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2005 Solo Drum Performance 2 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2006 Solo Drum Performance 3 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2007 Solo Drum Performance 4 ~神保彰の作り方~ DVD
2008 Solo Drum Performance 5 ~Circuit Exercises~ DVD
2009 Solo Drum Performance 6 ~Offset Exercises~ DVD
2010 Solo Drum Performance 7 ~Shadow Exercises~ DVD
2011 Solo Drum Performance 8 ~Dotted Exercises~ DVD

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 2/16/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.