Keisuke Kuwata

Infobox musical artist
Name = Keisuke Kuwata


Img_capt =
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Landscape = Yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Alias =
Origin = Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Born = Birth date and age|1956|2|26|mf=y
Died =
Instrument = Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards
Genre = J-Pop, J-Rock, Rock
Occupation = Musician, Songwriter
Years_active = 1978 - present
Label = Victor Entertainment
Associated_acts = Southern All-Stars
URL = [http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/sas/ Southern All Stars]
Notable_instruments =

nihongo|Keisuke Kuwata|桑田 佳祐|Kuwata Keisuke|born February 26, 1956 has gained fame as a Japanese multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and willingness to experiment with music and film. As a musician, Kuwata performs primarily as a lead guitarist and lead vocalist, although he has experimented with playing in a variety of positions, and made one album, in which he played every instrument on the record. His is most well known as a member of the popular Southern All-Stars band in Japan.

He is ranked #12 in a list of Japanese top 100 musicians by HMV, [http://www.hmv.co.jp/news/newsDetail.asp?newsnum=311040079 音楽 情報ニュース/Top 100 Japanese pops Artists - No.12/HMV] ] and has worked as a record producer, a movie director, has recorded albums as bandleader of his own band, the Kuwata Band, and has worked on projects scoring music to film.

Biographical information

Keisuke Kuwata was born February 26, 1956, and raised in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Kuwata plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboards. "Suteki Na Mirai Wo Mite Hoshii" (素敵な未来を見て欲しい) was recorded entirely by Kuwata Keisuke. He played all the musical instruments on this record.

Film work, record scoring

Kuwata directed the 1990 movie, "Inamura Jane". [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0123115 "Inamura Jane"] ] . He has also written the scores for several Japanese films.

In 1991, Kuwata began a series of concerts, similar to MTV's Unplugged performances, called the Acoustic Revolution, featuring Hirokazu Ogura on guitar, and Yoshiyuki Sahashi on mandolin, along with other musicians. In these songs, Kuwata has demonstrated the influence of Bob Dylan on his work, playing songs that include standards by Dylan, as with "Like a Rolling Stone".

Western influences

Two of Kuwata's musical influences have been that of Bob Dylan and The Band, inspired by American folk music, and by rock music of the American South, including in particular, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Little Feat, with whom he has played with his band and the Southern All-Stars. He was a participant and performer in a tribute concert to the late Lowell George of Little Feat, and recorded cover songs from many western bands he has admired, including the song George never released; "Long Distance Love", which was later released by the band posthumously.

Kuwata also developed a love for British rock music. He has covered songs from Western bands including Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Band, Deep Purple and Sam Cooke.

1994 ON AIR MUSIC FAIR "I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley, covered by Eric Clapton as well, was again a cover song, this time by Kuwata and Ann Lewis.

Philanthopy

Kuwata has performed with his band, and collaborated with several bands annually to donate money towards AIDS research and treatment. To draw the largest possible audience, Kuwata performs additional Western songs so the concerts are more inclusive to all who will attend. The chosen songs are ones that became hits by the original bands. Usually, he is joined by the members of Yamagu (山弦), a guitar group, which currently feature the talents of Hirokazu Ogura and Yoshiyuki Sahashi (佐橋佳幸 小倉博和 ), who are talented musicians in their own right, and favor blues, and rock, along with their own brand of ambient experimental music and enjoy the opportunity to jam in their chosen genres with their special talents on such occasions.To draw the largest possible audience, Kuwata performs additional Western songs with those Musical genres. The chosen songs are ones that became hits by the original bands who recorded them. Some of these concert songs include:
*1999 "Little Wing", by Jimi Hendrix

*2004 Theme: The Golden Age Of British Rock
**"Time" by Pink Floyd, "Highway Star" by Deep Purple, "We Will Rock You" by Queen.

*2006 "Proud Mary" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Personal life

Kuwata's wife, Yuko Hara, is also a member of the Southern All Stars. She is a vocalist and plays keyboards. The two met while in college, where they were in the same circle of musicians. They share a love of the blues. They have two sons.

Discography

Albums

*"Keisuke Kuwata" (1988)
*"From Yesterday" ("フロム イエスタデイ") (1992)
*"Kodoku-no Taiyō" ("孤独の太陽") "The Sun of Solitude", 1994)
*"Rock and Roll Hero" (2002)
*"Top Of The Pops" (2002)

ingles of the Kuwata Band, 1986

*"Ban Ban Ban" (1986)
*"Skipped Beat" (スキップ・ビート )
*"Merry Christmas In Summer"
*"One Day"

ingles with the Southern All-Stars

*"Sad feelings (Just a man in love)" (1987)
*"Kanashii Kimochi" ("(悲しい気持ち )"
*"Ituka Dokoka-de" ("Somewhere some time (I Feel The Echo)" ("いつか何処かで" ) (1988)
*"Mayonaka-no Dandy" ("真夜中のダンディー") "Midnight's Dandy" (1993)
*"Tsuki" ("月") "Moon" (1994)
*"Matsuri-no-ato" ("祭りのあと") "After the carnival" (1994)
*"Naminori Jonny" ("波乗りジョニー") "Surfing Jonny" (2001)
*"Shiroi koibitotachi" ("白い恋人達") "White Lovers" (2001)
*"Tokyo" ("東京") (2002)
*"Ashita Harerukana" ("明日晴れるかな") "Will it Be Sunny Tomorrow?" (2007)
*"Kaze no Uta o Kikasete" ("風の詩を聴かせて") "Listen to the Wind's Song" (2007)
*"Darling" ("ダーリン") (2007)

uper Chimpanzee performed with Cri Indefinietely

*"Kuri-to Itsumademo" ("クリといつまでも") (1991)
*"Kuri-to Itsumademo-no Karaoke-Tsuki" ("クリといつまでものカラオケ付き")- Includes Karaoke by When

Keisuke Kuwata and Mr. Children

*"Kiseki-no Hoshi" ("奇跡の地球(ほし") "Earth of miracle" (1995)

Keisuke Kuwata and Yuzo Kamon

*"Kuwata Keisuke, Yuzo Kamon & Victor Wheels Live!"("嘉門雄三 & Victor Wheels Live!" (1982)

References

Further Listening

* "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix covered by Keisuke Kuwata and Southern All-Stars featuring Hirokazu Ogura: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=morwXLxmUB4 桑田佳祐 小倉博和 Act Against AIDS 1999]