Akira Jimbo

1.1. Childhood and Formative Years

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Akira Jimbo was exposed to music and instruments from an early age, largely due to his father, a serious jazz bassist who, though not a professional musician by trade, had performed in U.S. military camps alongside contemporary musicians like Hachidai Nakamura during his university days. Jimbo's initial musical training included piano lessons. He received a drum set as a junior high school entrance gift but lost interest after about six months. He later took up the guitar, achieving what he describes as an average skill level, though this experience proved beneficial in his later development as a composer. It was during his third year of high school that Jimbo developed a strong affinity for the nascent fusion music genre.

1.2. Musical Influences

A pivotal moment in Jimbo's musical development was his encounter with the technical drumming of Steve Gadd on Bob James's recordings, which inspired him to resume playing drums. As the fusion boom gained momentum in the late 1970s, Jimbo's style was further shaped by the works of prominent musicians such as Herbie Mason, the American funk band Tower of Power, and their drummer, David Garibaldi. Attending a university-affiliated high school allowed Jimbo to dedicate more time to music rather than conventional entrance exam preparation. He spent countless hours at practice studios near his school, copying fusion music with fellow enthusiasts, including Yuji Toriyama, who was a year his junior.

2.1. Casiopea

Akira Jimbo joined the influential Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea in February 1980, at the age of 20, while still a university student. His arrival marked the beginning of a "golden era" for the band, which quickly gained popularity following the release of their live album, Thunder Live, in 1980. This album received critical acclaim, notably through the "Blind-Fold Test" feature in ADLiB music magazine, where international fusion artists praised Casiopea's sound without knowing the band's identity.

In the summer of 1980, Jimbo began contributing his own compositions to Casiopea's albums, starting with Make Up City, after bandleader and guitarist Issei Noro taught him composition methods. Later that year, Casiopea recorded Eyes of the Mind in Los Angeles, produced by Herbie Mason. Mason's direct guidance during rehearsals was instrumental in transforming Casiopea's playing style, helping them master the concept of "groove" essential for funk music. This period saw Jimbo and bassist Tetsuo Sakurai lauded as the "golden rhythm section" for their exceptional interplay.

After graduating from Keio University in spring 1981, Jimbo fully committed to his career as a professional musician. In 1982, prior to Casiopea's expanded international activities, Jimbo traveled to cities like New York City and New Orleans. His experiences in New York inspired "MID-MANHATTAN," a track on Casiopea's 1982 album Four by Four, which remains a popular live staple. In 1984, Jimbo became a demonstrator for Yamaha's prototype electronic drums, integrating them into Casiopea's live performances from 1986 onwards, as showcased in the 1986 live video Casiopea Perfect Live II.

During the 1980s, Casiopea maintained a demanding schedule, releasing two albums and performing over 100 concerts annually, both domestically and internationally. This intense group focus limited individual members' solo endeavors. Jimbo's first solo album, Cotton, was released in 1986, featuring a warm, smooth jazz sound with acoustic instruments, a departure from Casiopea's typical style.

In 1989, Casiopea entered a hiatus, allowing members to pursue solo projects. Jimbo released his second solo album, Palette, and formed the vocal-oriented band Shambara with Tetsuo Sakurai. However, this led to a conflict with Noro and Minoru Mukaiya, who believed Shambara's continued activity would hinder Casiopea's reunion. Despite Jimbo and Sakurai's insistence on balancing both, the disagreement led to their departure from Casiopea at the end of 1989. Jimbo later reflected on this period, stating that the band felt like "goldfish in a bowl running out of oxygen."

Jimbo later returned to Casiopea as a support member in 1997, when the band faced a drummer vacancy. He remained with the band through its "CASIOPEA 3rd" iteration, which resumed activities in 2012. Jimbo officially "graduated" (departed) from CASIOPEA 3rd in February 2022, following the "A.J.FINAL" live tour held from April to May 2022. Casiopea subsequently announced a new drummer, Yoshiyori Imai, and rebranded as "CASIOPEA-P4."

2.2. Jimsaku and Other Collaborations

Following his departure from Casiopea in 1989, Akira Jimbo embarked on a series of significant collaborative projects that showcased his versatility and expansive musical interests.

In 1990, Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai formed Jimsaku, a highly influential drum and bass duo that became a prominent act in the fusion scene. Jimsaku actively released albums and performed live throughout the early to mid-1990s, with Jimbo also continuing his solo album production in Los Angeles, which gained traction in the American smooth jazz market. Jimsaku eventually disbanded in 1998, as both members increasingly focused on their individual solo careers.

In 1995, Jimbo became a founding member of the Latin jazz big band Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band, led by percussionist Carlos Kanno. His involvement extended to numerous other units and projects across diverse musical genres. He collaborated with DJ Kay Nakayama on "INTELLIGENT JAZZ" and with Japanese traditional taiko drummer Shuichi Hidano on "Hidajinbo." His work with American bassist Brian Bromberg resulted in the "JB Project."

A significant collaboration emerged from the joint live tour "CASIOPEA vs THE SQUARE" in 2003, which fostered interaction between members of Casiopea and T-Square. This led to the formation of Synchronized DNA in 2004, a twin-drum unit with former T-Square drummer Hiroyuki Noritake. Around the same time, Jimbo also formed PYRAMID, an instrumental trio with his high school and university friends, guitarist Yuji Toriyama and keyboardist Hiromitsu Izumi. After Izumi's sudden passing in 2021, Pyramid continued as a duo with Toriyama, successfully funding their next album through crowdfunding.

After Casiopea's hiatus in 2006, Jimbo participated in "ISSEI NORO INSPIRITS," the solo project of Casiopea's leader, Issei Noro. He also frequently collaborated with Minoru Mukaiya after Mukaiya's departure from Casiopea in 2012.

In 2019, to celebrate Jimbo's 60th birthday, a special concert featured a 21-year reunion of Jimsaku with Tetsuo Sakurai. This led to the "JIMSAKU 30th project" in May 2020, marking a temporary reunion and the release of a new album, JIMSAKU BEYOND, in July 2021. Jimbo's continued collaborations with Sakurai and Mukaiya also led to the formation of the "Katsushika Trio," named after the venue of their initial joint performance. This trio, which primarily performs Casiopea's self-composed songs from their respective eras, proved highly popular and continues to tour and release new music.

2.3. Solo Career and "One Man Orchestra"

Akira Jimbo's solo career truly blossomed after the dissolution of Jimsaku in 1998, allowing him to fully develop and showcase his unique "One Man Orchestra" concept. This signature performance style, which he had been refining since the early 1990s, involves Jimbo playing complex, multi-layered musical arrangements entirely by himself, using a sophisticated electronic drum trigger system alongside his acoustic drums.

The "One Man Orchestra" concept allows Jimbo to simultaneously perform melodies, bass lines, chords, and drum parts. He expanded his repertoire beyond original compositions to include arrangements of popular songs, film scores, and even traditional Japanese music. This innovative approach garnered significant attention, leading to his appearance on the TV Asahi news program News Station in 2001, which brought his unique performance style to a wider, non-musical audience.

After a hiatus following his 1997 solo album Stone Butterfly, Jimbo resumed annual solo album production in 2007. These albums, often recorded in Los Angeles with permanent collaborators like bassist Abraham Laboriel and pianist Otmaro Ruiz, include both original compositions and cover albums. The tracks from these albums are frequently rearranged for his "One Man Orchestra" live performances.

The "One Man Orchestra" has become a central pillar of Jimbo's activities, with approximately 80 domestic performances annually and numerous international shows. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimbo adapted his work by conducting solo album recordings remotely, with musicians in Los Angeles connecting via the internet. In May 2020, he launched "OUCHI DE JIMBO" (Jimbo at Home), a live streaming series on his YouTube channel from his home studio. These weekly streams feature "One Man Orchestra" performances and interactive Q&A sessions with viewers, having exceeded 100 episodes by 2023.

2.4. Cross-Genre Activities

Beyond his foundational work in jazz fusion, Akira Jimbo has demonstrated remarkable versatility through extensive contributions across various musical genres, including pop, rock, and anime music. His studio work includes drumming for numerous popular Japanese artists, such as SMAP, Arashi, Kanjani Eight, and Sexy Zone, all prominent Johnny's groups. He has also recorded with rock and pop icons like Char and Hiroshi Tachi, notably performing with Tachi at the 2012 Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Jimbo has also made guest appearances in live performances for major acts like Momoiro Clover Z and Dreams Come True. In 2017, he performed a "One Man Orchestra" session with Momoiro Clover Z at their "Momoiro Christmas 2017 ~Kanzen Muketsu no Electric Wonderland~" concert. His compositional talents extend to children's music, as he composed "Niji no Iro to Ohoshisama" for the 1990 monthly song on NHK Educational TV's Okaasan to Issho. Furthermore, he played drums for the ending theme "Set Them Free" of the anime series Tonari no Seki-kun.

3.1. Drum Trigger System

Jimbo's "One Man Orchestra" concept is built upon his sophisticated drum trigger system, which he developed in collaboration with Yamaha in the early 1990s. This system, initially a prototype by Yamaha, converts the physical impact on acoustic drums and electronic pads into MIDI signals, enabling a single drummer to perform complex, multi-part musical arrangements.

The core of the system involves pickups (piezoelectric elements) and electronic drum pads connected to a module that translates drum hits into MIDI signals. The system is capable of more than just triggering a single note per hit; it can store and execute intricate settings:

• Chord and Timbre Changes:** The system can trigger different chords or instrument sounds (timbres) when a pad is struck, allowing Jimbo to play melodies and harmonies.
• Pitch Changes based on Hit Count:** It can be programmed to change pitch or sequence notes based on the number of times a pad is hit. For example, three consecutive hits might trigger "C, E, G," with the fourth hit returning to "C," creating a looping melodic phrase. Early versions in the 1990s could handle up to four notes for chords and pitch changes, while modern systems like the Yamaha DTX900 can store up to 100 note settings per pad or pickup, allowing for simultaneous triggering of different sounds and control over note length (long or short).
• Set Memory and Switching:** The system can store multiple "sets" of these complex configurations. One of the pads on his drum kit often functions as a switch, allowing Jimbo to instantly change between different sets to accommodate shifts in melody or chord progression within a song.

This technology allows for multi-part melodic performance by a single individual. While early versions were rack-mounted, contemporary units are compact and can be placed near the drum set. MIDI ports on the unit allow connection to external samplers for triggering vocal samples or natural sounds, and Jimbo utilizes external MIDI sound sources in his live performances.

It is crucial to understand that Jimbo's "One Man Orchestra" is not an automated sequencer playing pre-recorded phrases. The system only programs the order and length of notes; the music does not play itself. Jimbo must precisely master which part of a pad to hit, how many times, and with what timing and sequence for the music to sound coherent. He has acknowledged that performance mistakes can occur, stating in an interview that if he hits an extra note, he compensates by omitting a note elsewhere, or if unable to compensate, he moves on to the next section and covers it with an MC. Unlike playing a keyboard, drummers cannot control the "stop" timing of notes, so "long notes" and "short notes" must be pre-programmed into the system. This is the inverse of music games, where the player reacts to pre-existing music; Jimbo actively dictates the timing of every sound. He explains that his system differs fundamentally from synchronized playback with tapes or sequencers, where the performance is tied to a click track. The "One Man Orchestra" allows him to build the band's orchestration with his own internal time feel. Recent advancements, such as adding pickups to his hi-hats (as of late 2023), further expand his performance capabilities, allowing for more precise rhythm keeping and seamless integration of fills.

Jimbo is a long-time endorser of Yamaha drums, having used their instruments consistently since his debut. He has also assisted in the design of the K Custom Hybrid Series of cymbals by Zildjian, and endorses Vic Firth drumsticks.

Main Drum Kit Setup

• Acoustic Drums**
  • Yamaha WSD13AJ (13"×7") Beech Custom Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum
  • Yamaha YD9000AJ (8",10",12",14",16",22") Recording Custom Akira Jimbo debut 30th Anniversary Kit
• Cymbals** (Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Series)
  • 13.25" Hi-Hat
  • 17" Crash
  • 19" Trash Smash
  • 19" China
  • 21" Ride
  • 9" Splash
  • 13" Trash Splash/15" Trash Crash (stack)
• Electronic Drum Trigger**
  • Yamaha DTX900

  Past Equipment

  • Drum Sets**
    • 1980 - YD9000R
    • 1983 to 1986 - Simmons SDS-V
    • 1990 - Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
    • 1992 - Maple Custom
    • 1995 - Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
    • 1997 - Beech Custom
    • 2001 - Beech Custom Absolute
    • 2004 - Oak Custom Absolute
    • 2005 - Oak Custom Akira Jimbo 25th anniversary
    • 2010 - YD9000AJ Akira Jimbo 30th anniversary
  • Signature Snare Drums**
    • 1992 - MSD13AJ Maple 7ply Power Hoop (Limited)
    • 1997 - WSD13AJ Beech 8ply Wood Hoop
    • 2004 - NSD13AJ Oak 6ply Wood Hoop (Limited)
    • 2012 - BSD1450AJ Old Birch 6ply Steel Hoop (Limited)

4.1. Solo Albums

This section lists Akira Jimbo's studio albums, cover albums, and compilation albums released under his own name, along with their release years and peak positions on the Oricon Albums Chart in Japan.

4.2. Collaboration and Unit Albums

This section details albums released through Akira Jimbo's various musical units and collaborations.

4.3. Instructional Materials

Akira Jimbo has made significant contributions to drum education through a series of instructional videos and DVDs, showcasing his techniques and the evolution of his "One Man Orchestra" concept.

5.1. Awards and Honors

Jimbo's innovative drumming and consistent musical output have earned him numerous accolades. In 1999, he was awarded second place for "most popular drummer" by the British drum magazine RHYTHM. A year later, in June 2000, he made history as the first Asian drummer to be featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine, a highly prestigious honor in the drumming world. He also appeared at the Modern Drummer Festival in 2000. In October 2007, Jimbo was recognized globally when he was selected as one of "100 Japanese people respected worldwide" by the Japanese edition of Newsweek magazine.

5.2. Influence and Mentorship

Akira Jimbo's influence extends far beyond his recorded works and performances, significantly impacting subsequent generations of drummers and musicians. He has actively engaged in music education, demonstrating his commitment to fostering new talent and promoting musical accessibility. In 2011, he was appointed as a visiting professor for the jazz program at Kunitachi College of Music, a prestigious role that allows him to directly mentor aspiring musicians. From 2012, he frequently served as a judge for the band battle section of School Live Show, an educational program on NHK E-tele, further solidifying his role in guiding young artists. Through his clinics, workshops, and academic positions, Jimbo continues to inspire and educate, ensuring his innovative techniques and musical philosophy are passed on to future generations.