Hiroshima

Hiroshima established a singular position at the crossroads of R&B, pop, world music, and jazz. Traditional Japanese instruments became central to the ensemble’s approach, allowing the group to sustain both commercial viability and artistic integrity inside its chosen field.

Founding members included keyboardist and shakuhachi player Dan Kuramoto, koto specialist June Okida Kuramoto whose instrument anchored the group’s signature texture, taiko drummer Johnny Mori, and Danny Yamamoto, whose work spanned drums, percussion, and taiko. Subsequent arrivals brought keyboardist Kimo Cornwell, bassist Dean Cortez, and vocalist Teri Koide, later replaced by Kimaya Seward.

Several participants descended from Japanese Americans confined in U.S. detention camps during World War II. Beginning with the self-titled 1979 debut, Hiroshima issued a succession of strong-selling albums on Arista, Epic, and Qwest. Although the band gradually moved farther from its jazz origins, this stylistic evolution coincided with continued and expanding audience reach. Since 2000 the group has issued The Bridge in 2003, Spirit of the Season in 2004, Obon in 2005, and Little Tokyo in 2007.