COEXISTENCE

Artist Profile

• HIROFUMI KUROKAWA

  Hirofumi Kurokawa is a saxophonist and composer whose work bridges contemporary jazz and social narrative. After being awarded at the International Songwriting Competition, he was active in New York before returning to Japan, where he continues to perform and compose with a wide range of musicians across genres. His debut album BORDERLESS (2018), recorded in Brooklyn, received attention for its genre-defying sound. His follow-up UNCHANGING (2021) expanded the boundaries of jazz by integrating strings into a sophisticated compositional structure. His latest project explores themes of fragmentation, solitude, and coexistence, drawing sonic landscapes from everyday moments. Through both composition and improvisation, he weaves melody, rhythm, and harmony into structures that reflect not only musical innovation but also social resonance. Kurokawa's music has been featured in media including Yahoo! Japan, CDJournal, JAZZ JAPAN, and JAZZ LIFE.

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  HIROFUMI KUROKAWAの他のリリース

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    BORDERLESS HIROFUMI KUROKAWA
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    UNCHANGING HIROFUMI KUROKAWA
• OVAL SOUND ORCHESTRA

  Oval Sound Orchestra (OSO) is an ensemble that embodies the improvisational spirit of jazz and the architectural clarity of classical music--yet its scope extends beyond those traditions, flowing freely across genres. Transcending genre as a boundary, OSO engages with "music and people" through the lens of society, weaving diverse voices into a resonant oval of coexistence. This ethos echoes the work of Ryuichi Sakamoto, especially his late masterpiece async, in which sound became a material through which to question time, nature, and human connection. Like Sakamoto, OSO treats sonic fragments as reflections of everyday life--honoring the musical traditions they emerge from, while simultaneously seeking new methods that reimagine the relationship between sound and the world. Their approach also resonates with Esperanza Spalding, who explores spirituality and social thought through music unbound by form. In a similarly borderless spirit, OSO searches for resonance across difference--crafting sonic dialogues in a time marked by division. For OSO, sound is not just an expression, but a shared space--one that grows with the listener. Their vision extends beyond borders, inviting a widening circle of reflection, empathy, and sound.

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