coba

coba has won several international accordion competitions, he has released CDs in Europe and Japan, even reaching no.1 in the charts. coba has come to be more than a name - it means music which crosses thematic boundaries and which has a world-wide influence. After Bjork saw coba perform in London in the late 90's, she immediately asked coba to join her band for a world tour. Since then, he has become of the most renowned Japanese artists and he has spent 15 years regularly touring Europe. He has released 30 albums of his music to date. coba has always strived for the best in his music and his success is proven by the excellent reviews it has received in Japan and worldwide. coba has dramatically transformed the traditional image of the accordion into a new form, compatible with the contemporary Pop music climate. This form has arguably come to be known as a genre in itself - 'coba'. coba is a prodigious composer who is currently working on sound tracks for films, traditional and modern Japanese theatre, TV and TV advertisements. His role is composer, producer and performer, including working with orchestras. He is based in Tokyo-Paris and London and is continually working internationally.



coba's musical education began at the age of three, When he was 18 he moved to Venice, Italy to study at the Accordion department of the Scuola di musica luciano fancelli. He graduated at the top of the class.

1979-

Wins first prize at the Alassio International accordion competition

1980-

Wins first prize at the 30th C.M.A world accordion competition (also the first winning Asian artist)

1989-

Starts touring Europe

1992-

Solo album "under the moon in Sicily" (released by EMI) wins a special prize "Nihon record taisho" ('The Japanese record special prize')

1995～97-

Joins Bjork's world tour, attracting over 3 million people in more than 60 countries around the world.

1996-

Solo album "ROOTS?" is selected as 'album of the year' by the France radio station Radio Nova.

1997-

Awarded honorary citizenship of Mirano in Italy.

2001-

Receives the 24th Japan academy award for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music' for his music score for the film "Kao/Face" directed by Junji Sakamoto

2002-

Starts a project "Bellows lovers", for the '200th anniversary of the Accordion' celebrations.

2006-

Organises unprecedented collaboration event "I & Globe=vs".

Awarded "Voce d'oro" in Italy for being the years top artist.

2007-

World wide premiere of "Urbs in the chain forest for Accordion, Cajon and Orchestra" . Composed by coba and played with the Tokyo symphony orchestra.

2008-

The competition piece for the final of the 7th Japan Clarinet Competition: "A Drop of Water Did Reveal for Clarinet Solo"

Composed for Pianist Izumi Tateno

"ALBERO DI MEMORIA"

2009-

The world's three greatest accordionists ~Dream casts~, world premier performance, Tokyo.