Album Notes

Artists:
Reiko Obata - Koto, Bass Koto
Hollis Gentry III - Alto Sax (#2, #5)
John Kaizan Neptune - Shakuhachi (#7)
Kevin Koch - Drums (#5)
Bill Andrews - Bass (#5)
Joan Thompson - Dumbek, Indian Clay Drum, Tambourine (#8)

A Japanese American koto performer based in Southern California, Reiko Obata has studied koto under masters in the U.S. and Japan including the celebrated composer virtuoso Shinichi Yuize. She has a master's degree in music from San Diego State University and a Japanese koto master's degree from the Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music. Reiko Obata is an accomplished and extremely versatile koto player, playing Japanese classical, worldbeat, fusion, New Age, folk, funk, Latin, and jazz. She has performed with legendary jazz saxophonist Hollis Gentry III, San Diego Symphony musicians, shakuhachi composer John Neptune, pianist composer David Ward-Steinman, and Fattburger's drummer Kevin Koch.

Obata has performed at many venues including the Venetian-Las Vegas, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park, Sea World, Wild Animal Park, Warner Brothers Studio, La Costa Resort & Spa, Neurosciences Institute, Idyllwild Jazz Festival, World Baseball Classic, and America's Cup.

Obata has performed for radio, film, and live theatre. She has been a featured performer at harp and folk festivals. She has been a music instructor and has taught World Music at San Diego Mesa College. She has recorded several CDs of her own compositions and arrangements as well as a CD with her jazz band East West. Obata recently released the first-ever English language koto instructional DVD, "You Can Play Koto."