SAPPORO INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL

Ryoji Hojito

Ryoji Hojito is an improvisational pianist living in Sapporo. Since around 1990, he developed a unique style of improvising by incorporating small objects such as empty cans, Styrofoam, scrap wood, and toys. When he was invited by Nicolai Dmitriev to play in Russia he recieved high praise, which later lead to playing in festivals in Russia, Germany, Finland, and Lithuania. While based in Sapporo he is active playing in other regions in Japan collaborating with local and international artists. Since 2000, he has been exploring the endless and spiritual possibilities in playing completely improvised duo sets with artist such as Koichi Makigami (voice), Liudus Mockunas (reeds), Tomo Yamaguchi (percussion), and Hugues Vincent (cello). Recently he has toured and recorded in France, Switzerland, and Germany and also has revisited Vilnius, Lithania to collaborate with local musicians.

Venue Sapporo Art Park, Large Practice Room (Geijyutsu-no-Mori 2-chome 75, Minami-ku, Sapporo)
Projects Ensembles Asia / Asian Meeting Festival

Artists