KAZUTOKI UMEZU "KIKI BAND" is difficult to categorize .
It may be the newest type of Jazz-Rock. Its sound may be like progressive rock.
They like unusual beats. But basically it must be jazz. If you listen the rhythm, you'll feel rock, and if you follow the melody you feel like listening ethnic music.
KIKI BAND is composed of a powerful 4 members .
Kazutoki Umezu (As,Ss,Cl,Bcl),
Natsuki Kido (G)
Takeharu Hayakawa (B)
Joe Trump (Drs).
< First drummer Kozo Niida left in 2004
Since 1999 "KIKI" was formed by Kazutoki Umezu for a tour to Africa."KIKI BAND" always made surprise for music scene .
At 2003 They were known by people in the world as success at Moers Jazz Festival (Germany).
They toured in Europe (Germany,Poland,France,Austria,Switzerland,Netherlands,Italy,Lithuania,Slovenia,Croatia etc) ,
America(Canada,U.S.A) ,Russia,Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa),and Asia (Singapore,Malaysia,Korea)and Japan.
Everybody who has heard "KIKI"BAND, think it's a real sensational band !
At 2007 they were invited to Jazz festival Saalfelden (Austria),Leipzig Jazz Festival(Germany) and have toured in Europe (Germany,Austria and Poland).
2008 they toured in Japan and Europe (Poland,Germany,Netherlands,Slovenia,Italy)
2009 ,toured in Japan and Europe (Germany,Slovenia,Croatia)
2010 ,toured in Japan ,and be in "Jarasum International Jazz Festival" in Korea .
2011,toured in Japan ,and be in "Festival tour circuit in Canada (Ottawa,Edmonton,Vancouver)"U.S.A and toured in Europe(Germany,Poland,Switzerland)
2012 toured in Japan
2013 toured in Japan,and be in" Zappanale" in Germany ,"Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival' in Malaysia.
2014 and 2015, toured in Japan.
2017
Zappanale2017
Japan Tour, Appeared in Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Sendai branchi,as KIKI TRIO on “JYOZENJi STREET JAZZ FESTIVAL” live show.
2018
Japan Tour, Appeared in Miyazaki Jazz Festival, and Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Sendai branchi,on “JYOZENJi STREET JAZZ FESTIVAL”live show.
2019
20th Anniversary Japan Tour
2020 (closed due to COVID19)
2021 KIKI "ALL NIPPON” awesome tour (with Drummer Etoh Yoshito)
2022
Saikyo Japan Tour
KIKI BAND
They released 12 albums and 2 DVD
released
CD
"KIKI" in 2001, EWCD-0032
"Greetings from Africa" in 2002 EWCD-0045 live recording in their African tour
"Land Dizzy" in 2002 EWCD-0053
"Live at Moers" in 2004 zott-001 live recording at Moers Jazz Festival
"DOWSER" in 2005 zott-002
" DEMAGOGUE"in 2007 zott-003
"Alchemic Life "in 2008 nw802-2 live recording at "Alchemia" Krakow Poland
"A Chrysalis' Drean" in 2010 zott-004
"Coyote" in 2013 zott-005
"Amatsu-Kitsune " in 2017 zott-006
"Early years of KIKI BAND" in 2019 zott-007-9
"REAWAKENING " in 2023 zott-010
DVD
"Live in Zappanale 24" in 2013 live recording at Zappanale Germany .
"Live in Zappanale " in 2017 live recording at Zappanale Germany .
Umezu is one of the most important reed players in the world.
He is not only a well-known jazz master, but also a great improvisor
to collaborate with. >> more...
Kido is the most important guitarist in the Japanese progressive rock scene.
Also he plays avant-garde improvised music and on the other hand he may join
to play tango or ethnic folk songs. At first ...
>> more...
Hayakawa is well-known as the a bassist of "Satoko Fujii 4" "Dr UMEZU BAND"
and "SHIBUSA SHIRAZU".
He has been playing with UMEZU since 1978 "SEIKATSU KOJO IINKAI ORCH".
He debuted ...
>> more...
Joe Trump is a veteran of NYC's studio and live music scene,though he
now makes his home with his wife,two young children,and two old cats
in Portland,Oregon.As a member of such diverse groups as...
>> more...