Central Park East

Artist Profile

• MORIYAMA Takeo

  Born in Tokyo in 1945, moved to Koshyu city in Yamanashi Prefecture soon after birth. Enthralled by the live jazz performance he heard in his early childhood, he took an interest in the drums. After entering Kofu Daiichi High School, he joined the brass band, and took up the drums from his second year. Entered the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music, Percussion Department. While in school, began to participate in jazz sessions, and became close friends with Yosuke Yamashita. In 1969, became the drummer of the newly formed Yosuke Yamashita Trio. After culminating his distinct form of free jazz, and 3 wildly successful European tours with raving reviews, left the Yosuke Yamashita Trio in 1975. From 1977, formed his own Takeo Moriyama Quartet. His style returned to modern jazz, characterized by the four beat of hard bop. Performed in not only Japan, but in Germany and Italy as well. In 2001, received the 35th Jazz Disc Award (Japanese Jazz), 56th ACA National Arts Festival (Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs) Excellence Award for recording category. In 2002, was awarded the 27th Fumio Nanri Award (given to the artist who made the most significant contribution to the development of Japanese jazz). Published "Swing no Kakushin (Essence of Swing)" in 2017, which self-analyzed his distinctive form of free jazz during his time with the Yosuke Yamashita Trio. From 2001, has been contributing to the cultural activities in Kani city, Gifu prefecture where he currently resides, by hosting and performing in the annual "Moriyama Jazz Night" at the Kani Public Arts Center ("Ala").

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