An Evening to Enjoy the Interplay Between Naruyoshi Kikuchi and Hiroshi Minami

On stage, audiences can anticipate an evening filled with improvisational interplay born from the meeting of these two talents.

Naruyoshi Kikuchi, who debuted professionally in 1984, went on to lead the big band "Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden" as a DJ and band conductor after his time with groups like Yosuke Yamashita's, and formed the pop music unit "Spank Happy" with Midori Peridot on vocals. He declared a return to jazz in 2004. His 2006 collaboration with UA, "cure jazz," was a major hit, and he also presides over his private school, "Penguin Music University." Highly regarded as an essayist, he is also known as a multifaceted saxophonist, having previously lectured at institutions such as the University of Tokyo and Tokyo University of the Arts.



Pianist Hiroshi Minami graduated from Tokyo College of Music in 1986 and later moved to the United States on a scholarship from Berklee College of Music, graduating from its Composition/Performance program in 1991. Since 1999, he has consistently released albums such as "three timesone" and "Elegy," captivating many with his sparkling piano style. His first essay, "Between the White and Black Keys," published in 2008, was also well-received, establishing him as an artist anticipated for new works from both his perspectives as a pianist and writer.