Amakumo is a newly formed duo blending the delicate resonance of the koto with expressive instrumentals and vocals. Featuring koto performer Brandon Lee and multi-instrumentalist Amla, their music merges tradition and innovation, drawing from classical, Japanese, folk, and other global influences. With immersive soundscapes and emotive storytelling, Amakumo crafts ethereal and immersive soundscapes that bridge tradition and innovation.
Amakumo will be performing from around 8:10pm
The Saraswati-Benzaiten Quartet is an instrumental collaboration of classical music from India and Japan. The ensemble consists of the South Indian veena and the Japanese Koto and Shakuhachi. Iyer brothers, Ramnath Iyer and Gopinath Iyer, on the veena, Brandon Lee on koto and Adrian Sheriff on shakuhachi will come together to present common melodies of both systems showcasing the strong musical and spiritual connection between India and Japan while highlighting the differences in the musical approach.
The name of the ensemble denotes the two musical Goddesses from India and Japan who both play a musical instrument. Saraswati plays the veena (now called Saraswati veena) while Benzaiten plays the Japanese zither.
The ensemble’s artistic vision is to produce sounds that are unique and never before heard, connecting the musical and spiritual ethos of both musical systems.
$30/ $25 concession
The Brandon Lee Koto Ensemble again joins forces with internationally renowned shakuhachi performer, vocalist, improviser and composer, Anne Norman to present, Itotake（糸竹) . Featuring voice, shakuhachi, and koto ensemble, with a variety of works ranging from traditional pieces to contemporary pieces by Japanese and Australian composers.
Supported by City of Whitehorse.
$30 Full/ $25 Conc
I'll be performing with Amla Periakarpan (flute, violin) for a night of ambient music. There will be 3 acts that night, and we will be performing second, so estimated start time will be 8:15pm.
Tickets are $20 at the door
A celebration of string traditions from three continents: gamba (Europe), koto (Japan), and kora (West Africa). String of Strings includes three solo performances.
Laura Vaughan, a long-time collaborator with Astra, performs 17th-century French viola da gamba music by Jean de Sainte-Colombe among others. Brandon Lee, who appeared in Astra’s Patterns of Plants in 2023, plays a work for bass koto by contemporary Japanese composer Mamoru Fujieda. A new Astra guest, the kora player and singer Mohamed Camara presents traditional music from his native Guinea.
Program:
Set 1: Music by Jean de Sainte-Colombe and other 17th century composers (Laura Vaughan)
Set 2: Sixth Collection from Patterns of Plants by Mamoru Fujieda (Brandon Lee)
Set 3: Traditional music from Guinea (Mohamed Camara)
Reflections music for voice, shakuhachi, koto and shamisen
A contemporary Australian take on Japanese melodies and new compositions by three leading performers of instruments deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. A sonic celebration of our Australia/Japan connections. This year, three of Australia’s most dedicated Japanese music exponents combine their creativity and expertise to develop a new performance to be held at BHCAC on Friday, 17th May. Presented by The Boite, Melbourne’s multicultural music presenter in an ongoing collaboration with Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Reflections celebrates the longstanding Sister City relationship of City of Whitehorse and Matsudo in Japan.
Reflections offers music for voice, shakuhachi, koto and shamisen, a contemporary Australian take on Japanese melodies and new compositions by three leading performers of instruments deeply rooted in Japanese tradition: a sonic celebration of our Australia/Japan connections.
Noriko Tadano, plays shamisen, a long-necked fretless Japanese lute with three-strings. Noriko has become a virtuoso in the instrument that she first picked up as a six year old—performing traditional songs, her own compositions and improvisations.
Koto player, Brandon Lee fell in love with the sound of the Japanese koto, after one hearing, as a school student in his home in Malaysia. Unable to find a teacher there, he came to Australia in search of an instrument and a teacher and became involved with the Japanese music studies at Monash University. Since then, and after years studying with a teacher in Japan, he has become highly regarded as a player, teacher and composer.
Anne Norman has played the Japanese end blown bamboo flute for many years. She is recognised internationally for her work and has been commissioned to provide work in Australia and in many other countries. Her repertoire extends from traditional Japanese pieces to new contemporary work, some developed in collaboration with other artists, some entirely original. She is acknowledged for her dedicated and adventurous musicality.
Join the Brandon Lee Koto Ensemble for an evening dedicated to koto music. Drawing from a rich repertoire, pieces will range from the traditional to contemporary and exciting pieces. They will be joined by the amazing Amla Periakarpan, who specialises in loop music using a combination of instruments such as violin, flute, drums, and more. Together, these musicians will take you on an unforgettable musical journey.
$30/ $25 concession
Three performances: Saturday 2 September, 3pm Saturday 2 September, 7:30pm Sunday 3 September, 5pm
This Vedic Vibe ensemble will take you on an unusual journey from the cherry blossom trees of Japan to the souks of the Middle East via India, Europe and lands far beyond.
Their music will fill your heart and nourish your soul with the sounds of the Persian oud, Japanese koto, Indian merdang drum and harmonium, and the violin and flute.
Together the foursome draw on sacred Sanskrit texts, the teachings of mystics and also Western sounds with an Eastern edge.
Vedic Vibe entranced our audience with their sublime melodies in 2022 and are back by popular demand for a return performance - not to be missed.
$32 general admission
After a fractured year of some live and some online music, marked for Brandon Lee by a series of cross cultural collaborations, this 2022 post lockdown concert presents an invitation to revisit the classic koto repertoire. Working with the Koto Ensemble this year will be flute player Amla Periakarpan. The combination of a wind instrument and a wind themed composition for koto inspired the selection of this year’s title for the 2022 concert for Matsudo Week in Whitehorse. One of Australia’s longest standing Sister City relationships, Whitehorse annually renews a post-war gesture of peace, through its partnership with Matsudo in Japan. Annually The Boite embraces this collaborative opportunity to work with musicians specialising in the music of Japan.
— (AEST, UTC+10) — (AEST, UTC+10)
The Open Space, 11 Acacia Place, Abbotsford, 3067, Melbourne
This Vedic Vibe ensemble will take you on an unusual journey from the cherry blossom trees of Japan to the souks of the Middle East via India, Europe and lands far beyond.
They summon the depths of ancient traditions to take listeners and participants on an inner adventure that traverses various emotional terrains before arriving at the source of bliss.
The classically trained musicians, three of whom have earned masters in music degrees at Melbourne University and Monash University, will fill your heart and nourish your soul with the sounds of the Persian oud, Japanese koto, Indian merdang drum and harmonium, and the violin and flute.
Together the foursome draw on sacred Sanskrit texts, the teachings of mystics and also Western sounds with an Eastern edge. They are a surprise to the ear, a delight for the senses and a balm for the soul.
Ticket Cost: $30 + booking fee
Concession prices available, contact the event organiser for more details: admin@theopenspace.com.au
Free Chai refreshment included with your ticket.
Provided seating is mostly on floor cushions.
Alcohol free event
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The Brandon Lee Koto Ensemble is joined by virtuoso sitarist, Sarita McHarg and tabla player, Manmit Singh in this rare concert. Resonance will explore the interaction between these very different musical cultures, in order to create something truly unique and magical.
Indian snacks and Japanese tea will be sold by Cha Haus on the day
In the event of any changes due to COVID restrictions, we will strive to contact you as soon as possible. Double Vaccination and Check in will be required.
Concert Programme at: https://bit.ly/3tD3a1W
$30/$25 concession
We will have a live performance to celebrate Harmony Day 🎵
We will be experimenting on a new way to express some poems with our respective tools and instruments together by improvising.
Junko Azukawa (Japanese ink) will express the poems with her ink and brush on to a screen while Brandon Lee (Japanese koto/zither), Sarita McHarg (Sitar), and Manmit Singh (Tabla) will bring together the sounds of Japan and India in a rare fusion of cultures inspired by the poems.
It’s a free event. Come and join us!
