Introduction of Famous Drummers Part 3







This is Akira Jimbo.

Hi, again! Last time, I introduced Tico Trres. I'll introduce a famous and respected drummer this time, too. This person is... Akira Jimbo. Akira Jimbo is a famous Japanese drummer. He is from Tokyo. In 1980, he joined Cassiopeia a fusion band, while he was in college. In those days, he was 20 years old. He was in this band from 1980 to 1989, but he rejoined Cassiopeia as a supporting member from 1997.

His presence attracts listeners, amateur drummers and professional drummers, both Japanese and foreign. Whatever sound appears on a score, he can play each sound. His technique is like Senzyukannon (Thousand-armed Kannon). Actually, he is called Jyutte kannon (Ten-armed Kanon). Because he plays like it's not only him playing. Jimbo has used YAMAHA drums since his debut. He took part in development of electric drums as a demonstrator. He has used MIDI (Drums Trigger System) since the early 1990's. Akira can play the drums while playing melody part and bass part on MIDI solo performance at same time. The solo performance is called one-man orchestra. In 2000's, His playing style was known only by his fans. He has taught at Kunitachi College of Music as a visiting professor with a jazz specialization since 2011, and he has appeared on band contests on TV shows as a judge from 2012.
His appeal is using normal drums with electron drums (MIDI). I explained MIDI (Drums Trigger System). More talk about MIDI. MIDI (Drums Trigger System) is made by YAMAHA originally in beginning of 1990's. The system is First, pasted cartrige and electronic drum pads connect each part of drums. When you beat each part of the drum, you can hear the set sound. But a one-man orchestra is so difficult, because we can set the order of intervals, so the machine doesn't beat the sound automatically. The other reason, we have to acquire perfectly about where I beat part, how many times and where I beat it, how I beat right order. We need to set short tones and long tones. So he is so awesome!!



This is MIDI (electron drums, Drums Trigger System)

I found Akira's drum set and gear. This is the URL. Please take a look. In 1999, he was chosen by Reader Poll Most Popular Drummer of the UK drum magazine "RHYTHM MAGAZINE". In 2000, He was chosen as the most accomplished drummer by American magazine, and he was featured on the main story in "MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE". The feature was more than 10 pages. He talked about what the drums mean to him and why he chose YAMAHA's drums. He said, " My Drum set is my irreplaceable space, and I have used YAMAHA's drums for a long time, I feel deeply 'my body extends is to my drums' ". When I sit and beat just one sound, I have passion in my mind. YAMAHA's drums always say 'Have fun more freely' to me.
Last, I'll show you two videos. The top left side video is a famous song of Cassiopeia the song title is 'Asayake'. The bottom right video is Akira's one-man performance video. The song is 007's theme song from Mission Impossible. He is so cool and marvelous!!