Live Music / Concerts

Since 1996, Benten Tokyo and SXSW Asia Rep have held a yearly showcase called Japan Nite U.S. Tour, introducing countless Japanese artists to the world.

This year will mark its 14th anniversary. The performers’ unique character and variety of style have won the acclaim of many, and Japan Nite evolved each year to become one of the most popular showcases in SXSW (South by Southwest) in Texas.

Koto ensemble Lantana is a new performance group with a fresh approach to the Japanese koto and sangen (three-stringed instrument).

All of the members are associated with the Sawai Koto Institute in Tokyo. Founded in 1979 by Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai, this organization is recognized for its unique artistry and emphasis placed on contemporary music for the koto.

Each member has strong training in traditional koto methods and unique experiences in the U.S., Japan and Thailand performing solo, with ensembles and in collaborations with various musicians and artists.

The Wooden Fish Ensemble celebrates the music of Hyo-shin Na on Sunday, March 7, at 4 p.m. at Old First Concerts, 1751 Sacramento St. (at Van Ness Avenue) in San Francisco.

On the program:
“Koto Ninano” (three kotos)
“Koto Music” (three kotos)
“Night Procession of the Hundred Demons” (three kotos)
“Walking, Walking” (piano solo)
“Ocean/Shore 2” (clarinet, violin, viola, and cello)

The musicians are:
Shoko Hikage, koto
Noriko Tsuboi, koto
Kanoko Nishi, koto
Thomas Schultz, piano
Peter Josheff, clarinet
Terrie Baune, violin
Ellen Ruth Rose, viola

Yoshi’s San Francisco announces a new late-night series, “Audio Alchemy,” with acclaimed producer Dan “The Automator” Nakamura.

The bimonthly series will take place in the Yoshi’s San Francisco restaurant, lounge and jazz club, 1330 Fillmore St. (at Eddy).

Nakamura will be curating the series, showcasing some of the world’s top DJs. “Audio Alchemy” will feature vanguard DJs not only spinning but also in a live collaborative setting with local favorites, the Jazz Mafia All-Stars.

OAKLAND — Yoko Ono’s Plastic Ono Band will perform Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. at the Fox Theater, 1807 Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, as part of the Noise Pop 2010 festival.

The band, whose latest album is “Between My Head and the Sky,” features Sean Lennon, Yuka Honda and Cornelius (Keigo “Cornelius” Oyamada, Hirotaka “Shimmy” Shimizu, Yuko “mi-gu” Araki and Shahzad Ismaily).

The guest band will be Deerhoof (Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier).

SACRAMENTO — In celebration of the beauty of spring, Tiffany Tamaribuchi and the Sacramento Taiko Dan present their spring concert, "Tsubaki Matsuri" (Camellia Festival), on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 3 p.m. at the 24th Street Theatre/Sierra 2, 2791 24th St. in Sacramento.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Tickets also available at the following Sacramento locations:

Osaka-Ya, 2215 10th St.
Oto's Marketplace, 4990 Freeport Blvd.
Yorozu, 2615 Riverside Blvd.

For more information, call (916) 444-5667 or visit www.SacTaiko.org.

The GO!STYLE concert promises to be an explosion of local talent that will showcase the true, cutting-edge artistry of the Bay Area Asian American community.

The event takes place Friday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon St. (at Bay) in San Francisco’s Marina District, and will be hosted by prominent local comedians Ali Wong and Sheng Wang.

OAKLAND — Koto masters Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto and her son, Brian Mitsuhiro Wong, held their hikizome (first performance of the year) on Jan.30 at Park Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Oakland.

They were joined by their students and guest musician Lisa Sangita Moskow, who playd the sarod, a North Indian lute.

Upcoming appearances include the following:

Ukulele icon Herb Ohta Jr.’s 2010 spring concert tour, with special guests Jon Yamasato and Jennifer Perri, comes to Northern California this week. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St. in Santa Cruz. General admission. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. at Santa Clara University Recital Hall, Franklin and Lafayette streets in Santa Clara. Reserved seating.

STANFORD — The Stanford Pan-Asian Music Festival will be presented by the Department of Music next month at Dinkelspiel Auditorium on campus.