Kojiro Umezaki

Born in Tokyo, Kojiro Umezaki completed graduate work in the United States before establishing his home in Los Angeles. Although the Japanese shakuhachi remains his central instrument, he also teaches, performs, and creates within computer music technology. Trained as a computer scientist with a focus on electro-acoustic music, he has conducted research in audio technology and software design. His ongoing artistic projects center on integrating the shakuhachi with real-time audio and video processing alongside mixed-media formats. In addition, he develops interactive music systems and has partnered with visual artists. Two albums document his output—Extraditional, issued in 2000, and (Cycles), released in 2014—while his film work encompasses roles as composer, music director, and sound designer. He maintains an active schedule of instrumental and live interactive performances across the U.S., Canada, China, Cuba, Brazil, Russia, Iceland, and Japan.