Baltimore, MD (May 15, 2013) – The renowned composer will present the world premiere
performance of her new project, "PIANO ME", at Otakon. For this concert, the simple intimacy of
one performer with one instrument will be enhanced by experimental live visuals that respond to her
performance. To see a sample of that performance, you can see it on our website at
http://www.otakon.com/.
While studying at Waseda University,
Yoko Kanno made her first debut as a member of “Tetsu
100%” which was released from
CBS Sony. After the group split up, she became a
composer/arranger for commercials, animation, movies, games and TV series. Known as a great
master of animation music, her best works include
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,
Cowboy Bebop,
Macross Frontier,
Genesis of Aquarion, and
The Vision of Escaflowne. She has
also written and produced songs for artists such as
SMAP,
May'n,
YUKI,
Miki Imai,
Maaya Sakamoto,
Kyoko Koizumi,
Crystal Kay,
T.M. Revolution,
Shione Yukawa,
Chitose Hajime,
YOSHIKA,
ORIGA and more.
Her recent performances include in 2008 the “Galaxy Tour” for
Macross Frontier as well as in
2009 for the “
YOKO KANNO SEATBELTS / Chojiku Tanabata Sonic” event of which both were sold
out almost immediately.
For the recently released movie
Petal Dance which came out in April 2013, she wrote a piano
soundtrack which she performs herself. The piano score will be released from her own label PIANO.
In summer 2013, she plans to release a score of “Song of departure, which is A Cappella
Arrangements for Male Voices.”
Otakon 2013 will be held August 9-11 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD.
ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its twentieth year, Otakon is an annual
celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of
fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding
of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and
music from the Far East. Since 1999, Otakon has been held in Baltimore, Maryland; currently,
Otakon is one of Baltimore's few large, citywide events, drawing over 32,000 people for three days
each year (for a paid attendance of over 89,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership based
convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania based, 501(c)3 educational nonprofit whose
mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and
entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for
fans.
For more information about Otakorp, Inc., see
http://www.otakon.com/otakorp/index.asp
For more information and the latest news on Otakon 2013, see
http://www.otakon.com/