H O M E R E C O R D I N G S R E V I E W S S H O W S C O N T A C T
Aiko's new CD, "Like Hannah" is now available only through her own label, Bera Records, and CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com).
To order, go to R E C O R D I N G S
"... one of the most original and creative musicians on the Seattle scene." - Seattle Times
"Shimada's musical ebb and flow transcends categorization and I'm willing to wager, will also transcend time." - Seattle Weekly
"she is a godsent for Seattleleites who, despite our times, are still looking for beauty in the inscrutable other." - The Stranger
"Magical." - The Rocket
".. melodies that are lovely, unreachable" - Seattle Weekly
( many more reviews in "review" section )
m u
s i c When you think of
Japanese musicians performing in the U. S., you might think of
certain genres such as jazz,
althernative pop/rock, and noise/experimental music. Tokyo-born,
Seattle-based musician Aiko Shimada has her own unique
approach. Victory Review in Seattle describes her music as
"a spacious multi-faceted hybrid of jazz, progressive rock,
folk,
and shades of many other influences." Digital City says
"Aiko Shimada is certainly one of the most unique and
enchanting
performances lurking in the venues of our city, with a gorgeous
voice and a disarmingly graceful sense of melody."
Aiko writes and
sings in both Japanese (her native language) and English. She
performs both solo or with her band throughout
the Northwest as well as on the East and West coasts. She has
collaborated with musicians like Robin Holcomb, Eyvind
Kang,
Lonnie Plaxico, Tucker Martine, Danny
Barnes, and has opened for musicians such as
Jane Siberry, Robin Holcomb, Susan
Warner,Mount Analog, Living
Daylights, and Amy Denio.
b i
o g r a p h y Aiko was born in
Tokyo, Japan and moved to Oregon when she was 18 to study
English.
She started singing and playing guitar when she was 24. She first
joined a folk-rock band,
became a jazz DJ at a college radio station (KBVR-FM), and later
formed her own eclectic folk/jazz
improvisational trio, Played Twice while in Oregon.
Aiko moved to
Seattle in 1993 and started performing her original music at
local venues and festivals.
(Bumbershoot, Seattle Art Museum, NW Folklife Festivals, Tractor
Tavern, Sit and Spin, OK Hotel,
On the Boards, etc). Aiko has appeared on KUOW (National Public
Radio) for live and recorded interviews
on two different CDs, TCI Television in Seattle, KAOS radio in
Olympia, KBCS radio in Bellevue/Seattle for
live/interview shows, and KCMU (KEXP) Live Room and Sonarchy
Radio, live shows.
In 1996, Aiko
formed her own label, Bera Records. Since then she released 3 CDs
under this label.
In addition, a Japanese label, East Works Entertainment released
a CD Sound, in 2000, and in 2001,
Aiko was offered a record project by the world-renowned
composer/saxophonist John Zorn.
The CD Blue Marble was released under his label, Tzadik,
and distributed worldwide in 2001
(produced by Seattle / New York composer / multi-instrumentalists
Eyvind Kang and Seattle drummer/engineer Evan
Schiller
with the special guest appearance by Bill Frisell).
In 2002, she was
invited to play at the Vancouver International Jazz
Festival, and in 2003, she toured with Robin Holcomb to
play in her
music/theater/video, "O, Say a Sunset" which included
musicians like Eyvind Kang, Doug Wieselman, and Guy Klucevsek.
a w
a r d In 2001, Aiko
collaborated with Seattle koto master Elizabeth Falconer to
produce a CD of Japanese lullabies
and other traditional songs. This CD has recieved two Gold Medals
from Parents Choice Awards and 2002 National
Children's
Publications Awards (NAPPA) in the U.S.
Aiko is also one of the four recepients of 2001
Washington Arts Commission / Artist Trust Fellowship Award
in the music category.
b a n d Aiko Shimada on vocals and guitars, Dave Carter on flugelhorn, Mark Collins on upright bass, David Brogan on drums.
r e
l e a s e s
2004 LIKE HANNAH
(BERA)
2001 BLUE MARBLE (TZADIK)
2001 OYASUMI (KOTO
WORLD)
2000 SOUND (EWE)
2000 ANOTHER FULL MOON (BERA)
1998 WINDOW (BERA)
1995 BRIGHT AND DARK (BERA)
Aiko is also on
these people's CDs (as a guest singer): J.R., Crystal Radio,
Scott Adams,
Nick Drake Tribute on Songlines in Vancouver, Tom Shavers, Eric
Apoe.
r a
d i o
KMTT, KBCS, KEXP
(KCMU), KGNU, KTRU, WNYC, WNYU, WCBN, WFMU, WPRB,
WCBN, WMPG, WERS, WBAI, WMBR, RADIO CANADA, CIUT and many more.
photo by yuko suda