BIOGRAPHY
KHAMSIN
A contemporary jazz band based in Osaka, was founded in 1996 by Mitsuhiro Furuya. The name “KHAMSIN” refers to a hot, dust-laden wind that blows through North Africa in early spring, as well as the name of the “invisible” god. KHAMSIN is unique in that all of its members are not just performers, but also composers, playing their original compositions.
In 2023, the band performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival, representing Takatsuki Jazz Street, Japan. Their emotionally charged performance moved the audience to such an extent that they were given an encore—an unprecedented event in the history of the venue.
Tragically, KHAMSIN faced a significant loss with the sudden death of Mitsuhiro Furuya in 2024. Despite this, the remaining members decided to continue their musical journey, honoring the memories and moments shared with him.
KHAMSIN has released three albums: KHAMSIN (1998), Blue Hour (2018), and Asuka (2024).
TAKUMI SEINO -Guitar
Guitarist / Composer
He has performed and recorded with diverse acts across many genres.
As an improvised musician, he has collaborated with numerous talented artists worldwide, in addition to his solo performances.
Including his own works on VOS Records, he has appeared on over 80 CD releases on labels in Japan, Europe, and the U.S.A.
His unique expression is so colorful that people often describe it as “pictorial.”
Takumi graduated from the Berklee College of Music with the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude) in 1996.
He was selected as a guitarist for the Berklee College of Music All-Star Band and performed at the 23rd Annual IAJE International Conference in January 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia.
At that time, he received a Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship from IAJE.
He was named Best Guitarist at the YAMAHA Competition in Osaka, Japan in 1985.
In 2020, he was honored by Suita City as a person of Cultural Merit.
YUKA YANAGIHARA -Piano
Pianist / Composer
Born in Osaka, she began playing Electone at age 4, classical piano at 8, and also studied drums.
She developed an interest in jazz while in high school and, after graduation, enrolled in Koyo Music Academy in Hyogo Prefecture.
She studied under Masako Hamamura and Kiyoshi Takeshita.
In 2004, she passed the scholarship exam for Berklee College of Music, and in 2006, she entered Berklee, studying with Hal Crook, Greg Hopkins, Scott Free, and Joanne Brackeen.
She graduated in 2008 from Berklee’s Jazz Composition Department.
After returning to Japan, she formed a vocal-piano duo called “Futatsuyu”, releasing albums through Columbia Records and T&K Entertainment.
She performs not only in the Kansai region but also in Tokyo.
Since October 2010, she has served as an arranger for the Kobe Jazz Orchestra (KJO).
NOBUMASA SHIRAISHI -Bass
Bassist / Pianist / Composer
Born in Kochi Prefecture.
He began learning music with Do-Re-Mi at age 3 and started composing at 16.
Since then, he has composed numerous works mainly in the pop genre and released self-produced CDs.
Alongside his composing, he taught himself to play piano, bass, guitar, drums, and saxophone.
At age 20, he discovered jazz at a bar he visited, and from the very next day, he spent four years performing every night.
From 2012, he traveled to France and Brussels, engaging in sessions and concerts with local musicians. There, he was captivated by the uniquely quirky yet cool music scene and the spontaneous interaction with audiences.
Since 2015, he has been based in Himeji City, exploring new forms of expression including jazz, pop, and collaborations with dance and ikebana through improvisation.
From 2016, he began composing, arranging, and performing in the unit “ARCPHONIC”, a group featuring voice and double bass, performing jazz, children’s songs, original compositions, and improvised pieces.
HIROSHI “GORI” MATSUDA -Drums
Drummer / Composer
Bold yet delicate. A unique drummer who combines passion and intellect.
Born in 1969 in Osaka, he was inspired to take up the drums at age 16 after being struck by British metal and hard rock. During university, he immersed himself in genre-spanning sessions including funk, blues, and crossover as a member of the light music club. Based at the long-established live house RAG, he performed with numerous bands.
In 2000, seeking further musical growth, he moved to the United States. Since then, he has established a distinctive style centered on progressive jazz improvisation. With the progressive jazz-rock band Six North, he achieved worldwide releases. In the improvised jazz-rock group Next Order, he became the first Japanese artist to debut on LOLO Records in the U.S., releasing six albums.
From 2006, he launched his own leader project, GORIOLOGY. During the seven-day consecutive event “Hiroshi ‘GORI’ Matsuda 7Days” at Kobe Big Apple, he challenged himself with solo drum performances to great acclaim.
In the Latin × contemporary jazz band Vermilion Field, he released six albums, including major releases on Victor Entertainment. The band’s signature work, “Feira”, was highly praised for its energy and excellence.
In 2016, he composed the official theme song “Taiyo no Ki” (Tree of the Sun) for the Sumida Street Jazz Festival in Tokyo. In 2020, he performed at JAPAN EXPO MALAYSIA 2020 GOES VIRTUAL, expanding his activities across borders.
He continues to perform actively with numerous contemporary jazz units including LINX, Oto na Tabi, Takumi Seino Drops, Yosuke Kurita Group, Hiroyuki Miyashita ☆ trio #3, and Masato Hirai, among others. He has participated in numerous albums.
His playing style combines groove and structural beauty, earning him immense respect from musicians both in Japan and abroad.
MITSUHIRO FURUYA -Sax
Deceased: February 27, 2024
Saxophonist / Composer
Born on August 13, 1973, in Osaka. From a young age, he was influenced by his father, Mitsuru Furuya, and began listening to Western music. He started learning music fundamentals and piano at the Yamaha Music School Early Childhood Program.
During elementary school, he played trumpet in clubs but switched to saxophone in middle school as part of the school wind ensemble. In high school, he joined the R.U. Swingin’ Hard Jazz Ensemble (big band) at Ritsumeikan University as a regular member, marking the beginning of his music career.
He later studied in the Jazz Class of the Wind Ensemble Course at the Osaka College of Music Junior College, learning jazz saxophone from Jiro Akamatsu, Shozo Okuda, and Hiroshi Munekiyo, and music theory from Katsuhiko Tanaka.
From that time onward, he performed and recorded with numerous top-tier Japanese musicians, including Rikiya Higashihara (dr), Yoshiro Kanda (b), Tatsuya Takahashi (ts), Hidehiko Matsumoto (ts), Yoshiyuki Nakayama (ts), Eiji Toki (as), Hiroshi Tanaka (pf), Shuichi “Ponta” Murakami (dr), Makoto Kuriya (pf), Hideaki Kanazawa (b), Masahiro Sayama (p), Bakabon Suzuki (b), Tetsuji Horio (dr), Takehisa Tanaka (pf), Shinji Shioji (gt), among others.
He also collaborated with renowned international artists such as Paul Jackson (b), Marty Bracey (dr, ex-Monta Yoshinori Band), Michael Ray (key), Kristin Gray (vocals, Bootsy Collins Band), Eddie Henderson (tp), Booker T. Williams Jr. (ts), Davey Vman (ts, ss), Hank Jones (p), Eric Marienthal (as), Newman Taylor Baker (dr), and many more.
In 1996, he founded the original fusion band RAMMTARRA, later renamed KHAMSIN. The band released its first album, KHAMSIN, in March 1998.
After four years, the band disbanded, and he formed a new original fusion band, BLOW UP GROOVE.
In December 1997, he toured Atlanta, and in September 1998, he performed with Akira Nonomura and the Global Jazz Orchestra (big band) at the Monterey Jazz Festival, receiving critical acclaim.
From 2002, he participated in IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education) conferences and strengthened connections with numerous musicians.
He contributed to many sessions and recording projects and has become highly skilled on his secondary instrument, the EWI (Electric Wind Instrument), earning widespread praise.
In November 2011, he supervised the first EWI songbook, “EWI BEST MANIAX”, which includes karaoke tracks, performances, and commentary, and is sold nationwide.
He was also dedicated to teaching younger musicians, participating in summer intensive training camps for the Student Jazz Festival and conducting workshops at various schools.