Kitarō

The ethereal and emotive strains of Kitarō’s music have enveloped the world in a unique blend of East and West, traditional and modern, for nearly five decades. Born Masanori Takahashi on February 4, 1953, in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Kitarō emerged as an influential figure in the genre of New Age music, crafting sonic landscapes that transcend cultural boundaries. Masanori's early life bore little indication of the global musical phenomenon he would become. Raised in a family with no strong musical background, Kitarō was a self-taught musician who originally pursued the guitar, inspired by the rock sounds of the late 1960s and early 1970s. His journey into music began during high school when he formed the "Albatross" band, playing guitar amidst a local rock scene. The traditional expectations of a post-secondary education were set aside when, after a brief and discouraging stint at a photography school in Tokyo, Kitarō immersed himself in music. This pursuit led him to the burgeoning musical movement of electronic music, influenced by pioneering groups such as Tangerine Dream and influenced by the wave of synthesizer exploration that swept across Europe. Kitarō's early professional journey was defined by a transformative tenure with the cult electronic group Far East Family Band. It was with this group that his affinity for synthesizers blossomed. Under the mentorship of Klaus Schulze, a former member of Tangerine Dream who produced the band's album "Nipponjin," Kitarō honed his skills in crafting rich, textural soundscapes. The mid-1970s marked Kitarō’s departure from the band to create music as a solo artist. Secluded in the countryside of Japan, the music he composed became an expansive dialogue between the natural world and synthesized sounds. His early work, including the albums "Ten Kai" and "Daichi" released in 1978 and 1979 respectively, began to mold the signature style that would make him a household name. International recognition came not merely through studio albums but through a series of soundtracks that would captivate audiences worldwide. In the early 1980s, Kitarō was commissioned to score "The Silk Road," a documentary series by NHK. This music not only underscored the vast, mystic allure of the ancient trade routes but also helped introduce the sonic qualities of Kitarō to a global audience. The haunting "Theme from Silk Road" resonated deeply, cementing Kitarō's stature within New Age music circles and beyond. By the mid-1980s, Kitarō’s music had reached American audiences, facilitated by a recording contract with Geffen Records. Albums such as "Towards the West" and "Live in America" expanded his reach and his repertoire, showcasing a versatility that would come to define his career. His ability to fuse traditional Japanese music with electronic and orchestral elements was not just a crossing of musical borders, but a transcendent sound that evoked universal themes. As the 1980s closed, Kitarō had secured a devoted international following, achieved numerous awards in the genre, and continued to weave intricate stories through his compositions. His continued exploration included collaborations, among them with guitarist Marty Friedman on "Tokyo Sessions" and work with American jazz pianist Keiko Matsui. The 1990s solidified his role as a giant in the genre, with "Heaven and Earth," the soundtrack for Oliver Stone's film of the same name, earning him a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination. Kitarō's dedication to his craft remained total and his output prolific, recording albums like "Dream" with Jon Anderson, and releasing "Mandala" and "Gaia-Onbashira," which showcased his ever-deepening engagement with spiritual themes and the natural world. Kitarō’s consistent output in the 21st century continued to explore his foundational inspiration: nature. Albums such as "Days of Magic" and "Sacred Journey of Ku-Kai" which reached Volume 5, exhibited a serenity and meditative quality, reflective of his practice of integrating his life experiences, travel, and spiritual journeys into his work. Through his music, Kitarō imagines worlds beyond the physical, his soundscapes painting ethereal visuals that resonate with listeners seeking peace amidst the chaos of modern life. As he notes, "Nature inspires me, without it, music cannot flow." It is this elemental, yet profound connection with the world that has allowed Kitarō to create music that is both timeless and timely, continuously captivating souls worldwide. True to the multi-faceted meaning of his adopted moniker, which carries connotations of a journey, Kitarō remains a traveler in the realm of sound, exploring the limitless potentials of human emotion and musical expression.