Music

Hear sounds unique to JapanFest as top performers bring a fusion of Japanese and other world sounds to the Gas South Center.

Line-up subject to change.

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Video Game Alliance - Jazz Music

Love Nintendo? These Jazz musicians will take you to the world of Super Mario! Members: Luke Weathington, Justin Powell, Danny Wytanis, Patrick Arthur, Brad Cannata, and Jonathan Mills.

Photo by Umcolisi Terrell

Check out thier YouTuve https://m.youtube.com/@videogameallianceATL

Hiroya Tsukamoto - Folk Music

Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. Hiroya has been leading concerts internationally including appearances at Blue Note (NYC), the United Nations and Japanese National Television. In 2018, Hiroya won 2nd place in the International Finger Style Guitar Championship.

Kyle Abbott - Shamisen

Kyle has been playing Shamisen for 20 years and building the Shamisen for 17 years. He has competed and placed in national Shamisen tournaments in Japan and performed in the US, Canada, and Japan. Kyle is leading a band specially formed for JapanFest, with another talented Shamisen player, Mike Penny, piano player and singer Junko Fujiyama and Ukulele player and singer Yukiko Adachi in the theme of Western, Eastern, and Polynesian.

Mike Penny - Tsugaru shamisen player

Mike Penny is the second non-Japanese Tsugaru Shamisen player ever to place in the annual international Tsugaru Shamisen tournament in Hirosaki, Japan. He has toured both the US and Japan in various groups playing everything from Balkan gypsy, klezmer, and flamenco to Western classical, jazz, and his own original compositions. Mike will be performing in the special band formed just for JapanFest with Kyle, Junko and Yukiko.

Junko Fujiyama - Piano player and singer

Junko Fujiyama is a singer-songwriter and talented piano player born and raised in Japan. She has performed at numerous cultural events, benefit shows, music festivals and local clubs. She arranges J-pop/rock and anime songs, adding American pop flavor and making them sweeter. Junko will perform in the special band formed just for JapanFest with Kyle, M, and Yukiko.

Yukiko Adachi - Ukulele player and singer

Yukiko Adachi is a Ukulele Singer and was born and raised in Japan.
And she is currently studying abroad in Miami.
She has a 25-years music career in Tokyo.
She sings Japanese city pop and Japanese anime songs, Hawaiian songs, and original songs with ukulele.
She has worked on game music, voice acting, and TV commercial songs. Yukiko will perform in the special band formed just for JapanFest with Kyle, Mike, and Junko.