Union Pacific

For many years, the ancient Tsugaru shamisen folk music of northern Japan was nearly a dead art form. But today it has outgrown its antiquated roots, and has even taken on a rather hip image, thanks to Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida, a.k.a. the Yoshida Brothers. Since releasing their debut album, Ibuki, four years ago, the Yoshida Brothers have sparked a nationwide surge in interest in shamisen music, by fusing improvisational arrangements with classical, Japanese pop, jazz, African, Celtic and Flamenco styles. They join us today to offer up a shamisen primer.
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