滝沢ミナコflute
桐朋学園でクラッシック音楽を学ぶ。ブラジル音楽との出会いによって方向転換 し、JAZZ理論を学びライブ活動を始める。和洋楽器ユニットsakura projectで、国 内外のイベントに参加。テイチクエンタテインメントよりメジャーデビュー。デビ ューアルバムでADLIBアワード2008年国内ニュースター賞を受賞。オリジナル楽曲 が、日本テレビ、テレビ東京の番組テーマ曲、NHKあさイチなどの情報番組の BGMなどで起用されている。KONAMI、バンダイナムコなどのゲーム音楽やCMの レコーディングに参加。近年は、ジャズや、ブラジル音楽を中心に、全国各地でラ イブ活動を行なっている。
兵頭佐和子piano
武蔵野音楽大学ピアノ科卒、東京学芸大学大学院修了。大学在学中にジャズの生演奏に触れて感銘を受け、その後NYにてブルース・バース氏にジャズ・ピアノを師事。NYのライブ・ハウスにて有名ミュージシャンとのセッションを経験する。大学院卒業後、プロとして演奏活動を開始。2008年CDデビュー。オリジナルソングへの評価が高く、8枚のリーダー作をリリース。 2013年国際作曲賞〈ジョンレノン・ソングライティング・コンテスト〉ジャズ部門にて日本人初年間グランプリ受賞の他、計11度の作曲賞を受賞。丸の内コットンクラブにて、2023年8月アルバムデビュー15周年アニバーサリー・ライブを開催。各アルバムは、iTunesストア・Apple Storeなどでトップチャート入りを果たす。 7thアルバム「光の向こうへ」は、タイで1位、マカオ5位、シンガポール7位、日本12位など、各国でトップチャート上位を記録。
Nuages
Formed in 2023, Nuages is a duo unit led by flutist Minako Takizawa and pianist
Sawako Hyodo. The duo fuses jazz and Brazilian sounds, performing both
original songs and uniquely arranged covers. Their live performances showcase
collaborations with various instruments and other art forms, gaining notable
attention beyond the music scene. Their first single is set to be released digitally in 2024.
'Nuages / Clouds'
Diverse expressions of clouds
In the ever-changing encounters and moments of life
With flexibility and passionIn this age when the cloud connects the world
Delivering music for a bright future
Anytime, anywhere.
Minako Takizawa
Flutist / Composer
Minako has contributed as a flute player who plays Brazilian music. She has appeared in numerous ensembles and performed throughout the country.
Minako's commitment to Brazilian music, Her performance also extends to her dancing the samba herself.
Minako started playing the flute at the age of 9, after which she studied classical music. She is a member of the Department of Music, Faculty of Music,
Toho Gakuen University. She then she met her and Her Brazilian music (particularly the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim) guided her.
She then joined the recording session for a Toshiba EMI artist, marking the beginning of her professional career.
she was chosen to perform a solo rendition of the national anthem at the professional baseball playoff show.
She participates in the ensemble 〝Sakura Project,'' which combines Western and musical instruments.
She has performed with Japanese instruments such as the koto, biwa, and sho throughout Japan and even in Taiwan.
She formed the jazz band BIANCA under Victor Entertainment A&R She has released albums and appeared in musicals and events.
Soon after her major label debut under Teichiku Entertainment in 2008. 『BIANCA』received the 'ADRIB Award 2008 New Star' and performed at jazz festivals,Billboard Fukuoka and music bars including STB139.
Minako’s original compositions were featured on renowned TV shows such as Nippon Television's 'Straight News,' NHK's 'Asaichi,' and TV Tokyo programs.
Since 2009, she has been engaged in composing game music and contributed to numerous recordings for games like 'METAL GEAR SOLID,' 'Otomedius,' 'THE IDOLM@STER,' among many others. Currently,
Minako is part of the band centering around flute and guitar, with percussion, vocals, and piano, performing a diverse range of Brazilian Music genres such as Bossa Nova, Samba, MPB, and Choro. Her extensive roles in the music business include composition, arrangement, production, and more.
Contributed Albums:
2000: Clingon “Cosmos” EMI Music Japan Inc
2004: sakura project “sakura project” Waternet Sound
2006: sakura project “Yukyu Ranka” Waternet Sound
2006: “Le Chocolat De H Presents: Lamusique Pour Les Chocolats” Victor Entertainment
2007: BIANCA “Spangle” Victor Entertainment
2008: BIANCA “BIANCA” Teichiku Entertainment
2009: Apple App “Prescription For Sleep”
2010: METAL GEAR SOLID “PEACE WALKER” KONAMI
2013: Scarlet Maud “Master Mind”
2016: Minako Takizawa “NAUGHTY GIRLS”
2017: ONBIRD “SOUNDTRACKS vol.01”
2018: Minako Takizawa “Diary”
2023: Minako Takizawa “The Girl from Ipanema” and others
Sawako Hyodo
Jazz pianist / Composer / Arranger
Winner of 11 reputable awards including the title for international songwriting awards in the jazz category,
Sawako is highly regarded for her original compositions and has released 8 albums as a lead artist. Rooted in authentic jazz, her energetic yet melodious songs captivate listeners and audiences, resonating gently and comfortably, while evoking nostalgic scenes and memories.
Her albums have successfully made it in the top tiers of music charts on iTunes Store and Apple Store.
Sawako began playing classical piano at the age of 5. During studying at Musashino Academia Musicae for 4 years and Tokyo Gakugei University for 2 years,
she was inspired by the Jazz performance and studied Jazz under Bruce Barth in New York and had collaborative sessions with renowned musicians at local music clubs.
Upon finishing graduate school, she began to perform professionally, followed by a record debut with the album “Brand New Melody” in 2008.
Sawako is highly regarded for her original compositions and has released 8 albums as a lead artist.
Apart from piano solos and piano trios, she also engages in arranging for string and winds instruments, showcasing her distinct musical perspective.
The track 'Nostalgic Night' from the 3rd album “My Wish” (2011), earned the second prize in the jazz category at the ‘John Lennon Songwriting Contest.’
With the song 'Blue Flame' from the 5th album and first music video “Naturally” (2013),
Sawako became the first ever Japanese musician to receive the Lennon Award (grand prize of the year) in the jazz category at the ‘2013 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.’
Throughout her musical career, she has received a total of 11 international composition awards.
Her 7th album, “Over the shinning” (2020), appeared in top positions on international charts on iTunes and Apple store: No.1 in Thailand, No.5 in Macau,
No.7 in Singapore, No.12 in Japan, No.13 in Panama, No.14 in Armenia, No.19 in Hungary, and No.20 in South Korea.
In August 2023, Sawako celebrated her 15th anniversary of her album debut with a live performance at 'Marunouchi Cotton Club,' a sister venue of Blue Note Tokyo.
Awards
2011: Semi-finalist in [John Lennon Songwriting Contest] Jazz Category for “Nostalgic Night”
2011: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Nostalgic Night”
2012: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Blue Flame,"
2013: Finalist in [USA Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "alive"
2013: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "It's Happyend"
2013: Grand Prix (Lennon Award) in [John Lennon Songwriting Contest] Jazz Category for "Blue Flame"
2013: Grand Prix (Lennon Award) in [John Lennon Songwriting Contest] Jazz Category for "Blue Flame"
2016: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Hot Spice"
2016: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Puzzle of your Heart"
2020: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Beyond the Sky"
2021: Finalist in [USA Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Beyond the Sky"
2021: Semi-finalist in [International Song Writing Competition] Jazz category for "Splash!!”
●July 20, 2024 (Sat)- JZ Brat Tokyo in Shibuya
Nuages will be performing their 1st Album Release Live. The lineup includes Minako Takizawa (Fl) and Sawako Hyodo (Pf). Support members include Tetsuya Hayakawa (Ba), Rikako Suzuki (Ds), Ao Hirota (Vln), Shiori Tanaka (Vla), and Manami Inoue (Cello).
The venue opens at 17:00, with the performance starting at 18:00 and scheduled to end around 20:30 with a break in between. There will be no system change during the live performance. Reservation tickets are priced at ¥5,000, and tickets purchased on the day of the event will be ¥5,500 (tax included, service charge separate). Additionally, streaming tickets are available for ¥3,000.
Please make sure to confirm the entry system details before making a reservation.
●Oct 04, 2024 (Fri) - STACCATO (Asagaya, Tokyo) Nuages Live Performance
Minako Takizawa (flute), Sawako Hyoudou (piano) 19:00 Open, 19:30 Start Music Charge: ¥3,000 Reservations: STACCATO, 03-5327-8337
Please note that photography and recording during the live performance are strictly prohibited. Thank you for your understanding.