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.
Kruziki Transatlantica - Shakuhachi & Jazz
Kruziki Transatlantica presents an uplifting and energetic set of jazz fusion, featuring Atlanta-based musicians Aaron Kruziki on the shakuhachi (an end-blown bamboo flute used traditionally in Japanese Zen Buddhism) and alto saxophone, Emrah Kotan on drums and percussion, and Jackie Pickett on the contrabass. You will enjoy selections from the kinko and tozan shakuhachi schools and modern songs such as Ryuichi Sakamoto’s theme song from “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.”
Aaron Kruziki was born in a small town in central Wisconsin and now resides in Atlanta. A 2019 Juno Award winner (Jazz Album of the Year), Aaron has appeared at jazz festivals in North America, Europe, and Africa. Aaron has recorded woodwinds for artists and producers including Vulfmon (Vulfpeck), Lizzy McAlpine (RCA), Antwaun Stanley (Vulfpeck), Tristan Clopet (Amazon Motion Picture soundtrack), and Nahuel Bronzin (63rd annual Grammy winning producer).
Junko Fujiyama - Piano player and singer
Junko Fujiyama is a singer-songwriter and talented piano player born and raised in Japan. She has been performing at JapanFest for last decade and her core fans come back to this event year after year just to see Junko. She also 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.