Shared Solstice Front Cover

Shared Solstice

Ayako Okunuki

Track List

  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music

※ Preview may take some time.
※ Preview is not available for songs under copyright collective.

The first solo-album from Ayako Okunuki, a Celtic fiddler, goes beyond the boundaries of several genres. The timbre of her songs enhanced by her unique sensitivity-gained while traveling in various countries such as Ireland, Canada, Spain, etc.-resonates powerfully and gently with the deep sounds generated by her fellow musicians. The lineup of tracks is extensive, and draws upon Irish trad, Scottish, and Cape Breton Celtic music, Classical as well as her original songs. Latin and Middle Eastern percussion are also introduced and an unconventional free sound develops. She hopes that listeners can "share" a blissful moment with this album, like the "solstice" in the title which means the solstice of the Sun, the moment of its climax and the joy of when hope begins.

Artist Profile

  • Ayako Okunuki

    After graduating from the Toho Gakuen School of Music with a Bachelor in Music Performance, she traveled to Ireland to learn traditional music there. She has performed and collaborated with both domestic and international musicians, including Ireland's national treasures The Chieftains, as well as performed in venues such as the Irish Embassy in Japan and the Japanese Prime Minister's Official Residence. She is a member of the Irish traditional music band Lady Chieftains, which is officially recognised by The Chieftains, and also a member of the three-person band, KOUCYA. In 2019, she participated as a guest member in the specially formed Yuki Kojima Band, which won the Celtic Music Contest at the Festival de Ortigueira 2019 in Spain. She has also participated in several recordings of soundtracks for Japanese TV commercials, dramas, animations and film scores. She has performed live at concerts and festivals of various genres in Japan and overseas, playing solo to orchestra for classical music. To develop her career in Celtic music, she gained new fiddle styles from Prince Edward and Cape Breton Island in Canada, as well as the Franco-Quebecois style, which involves foot percussion played simultaneously while fiddle playing, which makes her appear as a "dancing-fiddler".

    Artist page

Tokyo Irish Company