Chiei Kobayashi
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Artist Profile
Chiei KobayashiBorn in Saitama,Japan. With his parents, both avid lovers of Latin American music, he began playing South American folklore at the age of six, and began playing guitar at the age of nine. He was a member of the brass band and music club (male choir) at Kasukabe High School, and the guitar club at Saitama University. He was also strongly drawn to flamenco and Argentine tango, and studied flamenco guitar with Hideo Suzuki while at university, and with Benjamín Habichuela while living in Spain. In Argentina, he performed at festivals with lyricist Juan Carlos Carabajal and others, and was featured on local television programs and in newspapers.
He was a member of flamenco guitarist Jin Oki's band for over 10 years, participating in concert tours, CDs, and TV recordings. He has also appeared on over 2,200 stages nationwide as a member of numerous groups, primarily folklore, tango, and flamenco, and has participated in over 70 recordings and video projects. He is renowned for his rhythmic guitar playing, which enhances the tones of his fellow musicians. His solo works include "The Mysterious Wind" and "Tres Orienes - Three Starting Points." His group works include "Topokerotchie," "Masa & Chiei: Dance of the Young," "ABIERTO," and "Utauashibue Trio: Bird Song." He also provides workshops and music production support, and currently offers private guitar lessons and a rhythm coaching program for vocalists and performers called "Chiei Live & Lesson."
Genre: flamenco tango folkloreActive Area: Tokyo / Saitama