The Kitsune Ensemble
The Kitsune Ensemble is an improvising chamber group dedicated to the performance of compositions inspired by Japanese cultural, artistic, and historical themes. The ensemble is comprised of Japanese and American professional musicians based in New York City.

Billy Fox: Director/composer. Billy has performed as a drummer and percussionist on numerous jazz, Latin, and pop recordings. His debut as a leader/composer, featuring Mark Dresser, is available on Portugal's Clean Feed Records. He was commissioned by Daisuke Kurata to compose two concert series in Japan. He has received grants from the Puffin Foundation, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and the American Composers Forum (as a McKnight Visiting Composer), and he was selected first alternate to the 2006 Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission's Creative Artists Fellowship. Billy's compositions are featured in the soundtrack of the short film Rhyme Animal, and the feature film Paper Man, directed by Kieran and Michele Mulroney.

Yayoi Ikawa: Piano. Yayoi switched from classical to jazz and other improvisational styles upon moving from Tokyo. Yayoi has performed with a host of legends: Reggie Workman, Charlie Persip, Butch Morris, Frank Lacy, Roy Campbell, Jr., and Billy Bang, among others. She recorded the album Angel Eyes for Nippon Crown Records, and recently released The Color of Dreams. She was a visiting performer and educator at the International Jazz and Dance Academy in Slovenia and has performed in Japan, Italy, Costa Rica, and other countries.

John Savage: Flute. John C. Savage collaborates with poets, dancers, painters, technologists, and musicians. He performs with the Kitsune Ensemble and his duo Cartridge (releasing a new recording this year). Savage has also performed and recorded with the late Andrew Hill. Also a composer, Savage was commissioned by the National Flute Association to compose a piece for the High School Soloists Competition. The work will be premiered at the August 2009 convention in New York City. He is a Ph.D. candidate in flute performance and improvisation at New York University and teaches flute at Western Oregon University.

Yoshi Waki: Bass. Since moving from Fukuoka, Yoshi has worked with Hal Crook, Phil Wilson, the Nashua Symphony Orchestra, Fosse National Tour Company, Grammy winner Dan Zanes and Friends, Ben Monder, Bill Ware Vibes, Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra, and legendary trumpeter Shunzo Ohno.

Christopher Hoffman: Cello. Christopher performs with Velour artist Ryan Scott, and Pagoda (on Thurston Moore's Ecsatic Peace label). He appears on Manuel Valera's Melancholia; has recorded and performed with Israeli saxophonist Harel Shachal's Anistar; and has worked with Henry Threadgill's 3+3 Ensemble, Butch Morris, and Otomo Yoshihide's Portable Orchestra.

Arei Sekiguchi: Percussion. Tokyo native Arei Sekiguchi has recorded and performed with electro-acoustic chamber group Oratai, Sony Japan artist JUJU, and Colombian harpist Edmar Castaneda. He works steadily with Dawn Drake & Zapote and Japanese underground rock spectacle Gelatine.

Gary Pickard: Clarinet, bass clarinet. Gary has toured internationally with the Lonnie Plaxico Group; performed with Junior Mance, Marian McPartland, and Sam Taylor; and recorded with Cassandra Wilson and Steve Coleman. He is a member of Jay Vilnai's Vampire Suit, the MK Groove Orchestra, and leads his own groups nevereven and The Groove. He is music director for the Ashley 1st Band and rock poet Lauren O.

Tim Collins: Vibraphone. Tim has performed with John Abercrombie, Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra, Antonio Hart, Helio Alves, Miguel Zenon, Ingrid Jensen, and Buster Williams. He has served on the faculty of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the Larchmont Music Academy, and the Manhattan School of Music (preparatory division). His debut as a leader on Arabesque Records, Valcour, was released in 2007.

Yusuke Yamamoto: Vibraphone. Yusuke has toured Japan, Europe, and the U.S. with groups including the Golden Monkeys, Chimp Beams, Dub Nomads, Chiara Civello, Sound of Village, Echo (Joy Askew), and The Beat Kids. He is currently active with his solo project, Channel U, and collaborates with several groups, including Chin Chin and Dizzy Ventilators. A multi-instrumentalist, his unique sound is a blend of Asian, Brazilian, and African music, as well as jazz, electronica, dub, rock, and contemporary classical.

The Kitsune Ensemble is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Fractured Atlas will receive grants in behalf of the Kitsune Ensemble, provide oversight to ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with grant agreements, and provide reports as required by the grantor.

home page