MIYAMA MCQUEEN-TOKITA

Tokyo-based koto and bass koto player Miyama McQueen-Tokita re-imagines Japanese musical traditions within contemporary improvisation and experimental sound. Her debut solo album, SONOBE, released in 2020, features works for koto by composers from around the world. McQueen-Tokita's sound blends her classical training with influences ranging from Kazue Sawai to Meredith Monk, often incorporating voice and electronics. Her performances create a unique sound world, sometimes energetic and upbeat, sometimes blissful and embracing, reflecting both history and modern innovation.