|
is a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of Casiopea. The group debuted with the self-titled album ''Casiopea'' in 1979, featuring Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and David Sanborn as guest musicians. In 1980, Sasaki was replaced by Akira Jimbo. Casiopea has released over 35 albums to date in both Japan and the United States. Some of Casiopea's most famous tracks include Asayake, Galactic Funk and Eyes of the Mind. ==History== The first record label to sign them was Alfa Records in 1979, with their first album ''Casiopea''. Galactic Funk first featured in their 1981 album ''"Crosspoint"'' which had around 10 different versions recorded both live and in studio. The album ''"Eyes of the Mind"'' was released in the United States in 1981. They then released the album ''Mint Jams'' in 1982, followed by ''Four by Four'' the same year, which was a collaborative album with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East and Don Grusin (all except Don Grusin later became founding members of Fourplay). Their first overseas concert was held in the United Kingdom in 1983. The group has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. In 1987, Casiopea signed to another Record Label, Polydor. In 1989, Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai left the band following several years of musical differences. They later formed their own duo-band, Jimsaku. For their replacement, Casiopea chose Yoshihiro Naruse (bass) and Masaaki Hiyama (drums). They signed to yet another record label, Pioneer. In 1993, the group once again changed its members. Noriaki Kumagai came to replace Masaaki, and a year later, 1994, the group Signed once again to Alfa Records, but signed to Pony Canyon in the later part of the year. Then in 1997, Akira returned to Casiopea, this time as a part-time member, recording more albums and again contributing some of the compositions. In 2000, The Group signed once again to Pioneer LDC. Only 4 years later, 2004, Pioneer LDC changed their name to Geneon Entertainment. On August 1, 2006, Issei Noro, the group's leader, decided to freeze all activities of the band until further notice. In 2007, Issei Noro (along with fellow Casiopea member, Akira Jimbo and several others) formed a J-Fusion group, "Inspirits". Issei Noro and Inspirits had released 2 albums since then. In January 2009, Casiopea were involved with an album, ''"Tetsudou Seminar Ongakuhen"'', which was some music based on Minoru Mukaiya's Train Simulator Videogames. On May 27, 2009, A limited-edition box set consisting of almost all of Casiopea's albums, called ''"Legend of Casiopea"'', was released in commemoration of the group's 30th Anniversary. On April 20, it was announced that Casiopea would return (the first concert being on May 9), with Kiyomi Otaka on Keyboards, replacing Minoru Mukaiya, who currently has his own music production team (Mukaiya Club). 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Casiopea」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|