Ajate
Ajate is a Japanese band that plays a unique blend of afro-groove dance music mixed with Japanese traditional festival music called 'Ohayashi'. Formed in 2011 by the band-leader John Imaeda, Ajate consists of 8-10 Japanese musicians who all play unique instruments.
A unique feature of the band is the use of hand-made bamboo instruments and traditional Japanese percussion. They use a bamboo-made xylophone or balafon called a Jahte, and a bamboo-made string instrument called the Piechiku inspired by the west-African Ngoni and Moroccan' Guembri'. All the bamboo instruments are designed, made and named by John Imaeda himself.
Add to this unique sound some well-crafted Japanese singing and you get a funky mix of Afro-funk flavored grooves with traditional Japanese music—a joy to hear live.
Ajate is a Japanese band that plays a unique blend of afro-groove dance music mixed with Japanese traditional festival music called 'Ohayashi'. Formed in 2011 by the band-leader John Imaeda, Ajate consists of 8-10 Japanese musicians who all play unique instruments.
A unique feature of the band is the use of hand-made bamboo instruments and traditional Japanese percussion. They use a bamboo-made xylophone or balafon called a Jahte, and a bamboo-made string instrument called the Piechiku inspired by the west-African Ngoni and Moroccan' Guembri'. All the bamboo instruments are designed, made and named by John Imaeda himself.
Add to this unique sound some well-crafted Japanese singing and you get a funky mix of Afro-funk flavored grooves with traditional Japanese music—a joy to hear live.
