Seminar on “The World of Kenji” in 2025
“Kenji Miyazawa and Music“
June 11(Wed.) 10:30-11:30 AM
@Yasawa Elementary School
Lecturer: Sumiko Sato
Date and Time: Saturday, April 19th, 1:30 PM
Location: CAFE WEST 38 (3rd Floor, Morioka Bus Center) 1-9 Nakanohashi-dori, Morioka
Admission: Free (One drink order required)
Performers:
Sumiko Sato (Piano)
and friendshttps://akiyoshi-jazz.com/events/event/20250419-2/
In December 2024, Japan’s “traditional sake brewing” was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. In the same month, following the renewal of the contract for “Kome-togi Uta” (rice washing song) for the sound installation at the Seattle Convention Center, the CD “Nanbu Sakaya Uta Project Vol. 1” is now available for purchase at the Michi no Eki Ishidoriya “Sakashokan” (7-17-3, Nakaterabayashi Ishidoriya, Hanamaki, Iwate), which reopened in 2023, in addition to Rinpusha and Inaka Lab, starting March 13th. The price is 2,200 yen (tax included). There is also a Denshokan heritage hall adjacent to the facility where you can learn more about the sake brewing culture of the Nanbu Toji, so please come and visit us.
Excited to share that my piece, “Rice Washing Song,” has been renewed for the Summit Sound playlist at the Seattle Convention Center! Join me and 99 other local artists as we fill the newly built hall with music until August 2027. Located on Pine St. between 9th and Boren, Summit Sound is an outdoor oasis where you can enjoy live music 7 days a week, 7am-11pm.
“Gauche the Cellist” and “The Beginning of the Deer Dance”
Performed by Shizuko Ushizaki, Toshiya Ushizaki
Piano: Sumiko Sato
December 1 (Sun.), 11:00 am
Admission 1000yen
Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Youth Museum Exhibition Hall (2F)
1-1-25 Nakanohashidori, Morioka-shi, Iwate 020-0871
https://seishunkan.jp/archives/events/events-277
I will be performing at the Kumano Shrine – Autumn Performing Arts Festival.
A variety of genres will be performed on a brand new grand piano brought into the main shrine.
Please come and enjoy!”The Pulse of Local Performing Arts and Piano Music”
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Doors open at 1:00 p.m.
Shinto ritual at 1:30 p.m. (may be observed)
Concert begins at 2:00 p.m.
at Main Hall, Kumano Shrine (8-118 Kochi Ishidoriya Hanamaki)Performers:
Godaido Kagura
Kasuga-style Yokaichi Deer Dance
Sumiko Sato (piano)Admission Fee:
2,500 yen (100 seats only)Tickets available at
-Small Dept Store Plat
-Nahan Plaza
-Shiwa Information Exchange Center (in Ogal)
Info: 090-7075-6073 (Nakano)
“You, Talk, and Music”
~ How about music in a stylish cafe in the afternoon? ~
Date: September 21, 2024 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Venue: Cafe West 38 (Morioka Bus Center 3F)
Performers:
Mayumi Takahashi (MC/Vo)
Sumiko Sato (Pf)
Hisao Shimomachi (MC/Gt)
Hirozumi Oikawa (Ds)Free of charge
*A minimum order of one item is required
Sunday, June 9, 3:00 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.)
@Myoenji Temple (7-53 Atago-cho, Hanamaki-shi)
Admission freeSumIko will accompany a part of the prayer dedication performance by Koto player Rie Asai?@@@.
https://youtu.be/ZZV_anJVr0I?si=epNd39QAYi-tpoWM
『Dear Iwate』 Francisco PatrickThe video, “Dear Iwate” by Patrick Francisco has just won the Grand Prize in the “MISETE IWATE Video Contest”(https://miseteiwate.jp/result.html
)! The music is “Fantasy of Taneyama Highland” by Sumiko Sato. It was also awarded last fall, and I hope you will enjoy this new version of the video, which shows even more vivid and beautiful scenery of Iwate.I am very honored to be a part of the “Summit Sound” installation at the Seattle Convention Center, renovated this past January in downtown Seattle. The audio list includes my composing mentor’s work, “Swing Low”, and many, many works by my contemporary composers—Christian, Byron, Paul K., Eyvind,….which brings back the fond memories of my univ. days. Thanks to the musicians and Sake brewer masters who participated in the recording, Levi, and Jack Straw. For listening, click on track #89 on this link, or if you have a chance to visit the area, I hope you will enjoy the soundscape.
https://www.jackstraw.org/program/art-heritage-partnerships/summit-sound/
Track #89: “Kome-togi Uta (Rice Washing Song)” from “Nanbu Sakaya Uta Project Vol.1”Flute: Paul Taub, Violin: Tari Nelson-Zagar, Cello: Lori Goldston, Contrabass: Dennis Staskowski, Percussion: Paul Kikuchi, Piano: Sumiko Sato, Conductor: Joshua Kohl.
Lyrics: Wash, wash, wash, wash rice, wash it up and let’s go have a smoke.
Liner notes: About 22.5kg of white rice is put into a treading and washing tub called hangiri. The water is added before the treading begins. Sung whilst washing rice, which is the first step of brewing. In this track, a shaker made using Iwate rice is played by percussionist.
Summit Sound is a street-level, south-facing, outdoor, landscaped area with seating. It is located on the exterior of the building, mid-block on Pine Street between Ninth and Boren Avenues in downtown Seattle. Stop by and immerse yourself in these sounds, songs, and voices seven days a week, from 7am to 11pm –
