It was a good night at the Grammys for Japanese artists. Matsumoto “Tak” Takahiro (49, photo left), guitarist with the hugely successful rock band B’z, won an award for his collaboration with jazz fusion guitarist Larry Carlton (62, photo center). The duo won the Best Pop Instrumental Album award for “Take Your Pick.” A recent Daily Yomiuri reveiew said the album’s 12 tracks “effortlessly straddle multiple genres including jazz, blues, rock and pop, and though occasionally redolent of jazz fusion from the 1970s and ’80s, the material still rings with a fresh and contemporary zest.”
On the award win, Matsumoto commented, “I had never told anyone until now, but the Grammys was one of my dreams and a big goal.” B’z are the biggest-selling Japanese music act, having sold over 44 million albums in the past 23 years. In 2007 they became the first Japanese act to be inducted into Hollywood’s Rockwalk.
Meanwhile, a couple of lesser known Japanese artists were recognized for their keyboard skills. Classical pianist Uchida Mitsuko (62) got the nod for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra for a recording of piano concertos by Mozart with the Cleveland Orchestra. In a statement she said, “Receiving this award gives me special joy as I have worked with them for a long time.” And the Best Contemporary Jazz Album award went to the Stanley Clarke Band, which includes jazz pianist Uehara Hiromi (31, photo right). She commented, “As a member, I am very honored to have received the Grammy award.”
Related stories:
B’z Matsumoto Gets 9 Grammy Nods (Dec. 3, 2010)
B’z Inducted into Hollywood Rock Walk (Nov. 20, 2007)