ELLIS Classics "Blue"

Artist Profile

• Elli

  A vocalist with a sweet voice that combines soothing comfort with a strength that resonates deeply. 1990: Debuted as elli, the vocalist of ELLIS, under the production of guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono. 1991: Achieved a breakthrough with "A Thousand Nights and One Morning," the ending theme for the TV show "Ucchan Nanchan no Yarunara Yarane ba." 2003: Inspired by receiving a ukulele as a birthday gift, she formed the ukulele trio "elli+katz+nory" with Seiji Katsu (formerly of Kodomo Band) and Nory from Kuster Kusta. 2014: "Coconut on a Southern Island" (by elli+katz+nory) was broadcast nationwide on NHK's "Minna no Uta." 2016: Published the children's song sheet music collection "Ukulele Nursery: In a Cheerful Mood" with Hiromichi-oniisan from the TV show "Gymnastics." Began activities to promote ukulele in early childhood education. 2021: Released "Kipuka," their fifth solo ukulele album, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2023: Commemorative live performance by the ukulele trio ELLI+KATZ+NORY (Eri Katsunori), marking their 20th anniversary. 2024: ELLI+KATZ+NORY embarks on a live cruise aboard the Asuka II to Guam and Saipan. 2026: In May, released the CD "ELLIS Classics: "TOBIRA". Currently preparing for the monthly digital releases of "ELLIS Classics" scheduled to begin in June. In addition to songwriting and live performances as Elli solo, as well as with the ukulele trio ELLI+KATZ+NORY (Eri Katsu Nori), the unit ZEBRA ONE with Yudai Suzuki, and live performances with the SMILE MOON BAND, which supports her solo activities, she performs in numerous live shows throughout the year. She also actively gives vocal and ukulele lessons.

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• Hiroshi Kondo

  A filmmaker and musician whose motto is to create worlds that resonate with the heart. To date, he has created countless songs, movies, CDs, DVDs, and videos for YouTube and other social media, and is active in a wide range of video and music production. (Details) During his student days, he was immersed in filmmaking and band activities in the film club. While at university, he became devoted to instrumental music such as crossover, and with the fusion band "HangRaiji," he won a jazz contest sponsored by Victor Entertainment, performed mainly at the long-established live house "Roppongi Pit-Inn," and won the Newcomer Award at the "Beppu Jazz International Festival." In the 1980s, he utilized his performance skills to participate in bands such as that of Katsutoshi Morizono, former guitarist of "Yoninhayashi," and in J-POP, he worked as a bassist in live bands for Miki Matsubara, Miki Asakura, and others, and participated in Jackie Lin & Paravion. In 1990, leveraging his songwriting skills, he began activities with the J-POP unit "ELLIS." In 1992, he provided music for artists such as Maki Kanzaki and Ritsuko Tanaka. In 1995, he established his own production company, Zazou Pop Studio. In 1996, he served as music director for the Sega Saturn game "Dark Saber," and composed music for the Sega Dreamcast game "Climax Dunders," which was a digital video, sound, and WWW content project. He also composed and arranged the insert music for the Nippon Television program "Mine Ryuta no Hon no Hirumeshi Mae." In 1996, he also began accepting video-related work, including producing videos for new products from instrument manufacturer Roland. In 1999, as a creator, he began writing serial articles for monthly magazines such as "Video Salon" and "DTM Magazine." Since then, throughout the 2000s, he has produced product videos for instrument manufacturers such as Roland and Yamaha, while also working on corporate videos for companies like "Ohachi" and "Riviera." ZEBRA ONE. In 2015, he participated in the recording of Takashi Omori's album, and later in the recording of Takayuki Inoue's album. In 2016, he produced music for FM Sounds' program, produced a PV for Hiro Nishimura (harmonica), participated in the film "Kazoku de Gohan" directed by Kato in 2019 (filming, recording, and editing), produced corporate videos for companies such as Linkom Co., Ltd., and worked on web distribution for artists such as Yudai Suzuki and MAC Shimizu during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, he recorded and edited a live performance by Rei Yamashita (harmonica), produced a PV for vocalist Masanori Fujiwara MAX in 2022, handled video and audio for piano and ukulele instruction books published by Sekai Bunka Publishing, and produced corporate videos for IT companies such as Gleeze Co., Ltd. In 2024, he launched the ELLIS Classics project, which continues to this day.

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