SHOKO NAGAI

Shoko Nagai composition

Shoko Nagai/ Satoshi Takeishi’s Vortex 20th anniversary Concert @ The Roulette, NY

Shoko Nagai (composition, piano, electronics)

Satoshi Takeishi ( Glockenshupl, electronics, drums)

Shoko Nagai/ Satoshi Takeishi’s Vortex 20th Anniversary Concert @ Roulette NY

Shoko Nagai (composition, piano, electronics)

Satoshi Takeishi ( drums)

- live @ Saalfelden Jazzfestival 2014, Saalfelden, Austria, 30.08.14

Erik Friedlander - cello
Shoko Nagai - piano, accordion, electronics
Satoshi Takeishi – percussion

Shoko Nagai ( compositions, piano, Casio)

Satoshi Takeishi ( drums, electronics)

Shoko Nagai's tAKE'N sHADOWS III (KAGEFUMI) @Roulette NY
Todd Reynolds, violin/ electronics
Jonathan Goldberger, guitar/ effects
Stomu Takeishi, electric bass
Jim Black, drums
Shoko Nagai, composition/ piano/ shadow puppet design/ Moog
Luke DuBois, video art

The worst curse for a demon who lives between the living
and the dead is the inability to die.
By stepping on a mortal's shadow, a demon can become a human.
And a demon can die.
On the other hand, a human whose shadow has been stepped
by a demon becomes a demon.
And he or she, now has to find and step on another mortal's shadow...

An adventurous sonic risk-taker, composer, and pianist, Shoko Nagai creates a new ensemble project that explores the mystery and the wonder of what lies at the essence of contemporary music in tAKE'N sHADOWS (KAGEFUMI). From the elements from contemporary western music and experimental electronic music, Nagai has crafted a white-hot sound ? searing and abstract ? that surrenders to the ebb and flow of time, evoking another realm, a time and a place, and evokes a dramatic new tale of suspense and intrigue.

Shoko Nagai ( Moog synth, Effects)

Satoshi Takeishi ( Prepared Hummered Dulcimer, Electronics)

Visual work by Shoko Nagai & Satoshi Takeishi

Experimental Piano/Percs, Electronics duo has been incorporating free improvisation, composition, electronics, found objects and visual elements intoperformances to create a unique path into the world of contemporary music. Their performances are based on stories and they create sound texturesalmost visible to the listener.In this performance, they will perform new compositions a world where illusion is sustained by multiple shifting elements.  
Shoko Nagai ( piano, electronics, Nitendo DS)
Satoshi Takeishi (percussion, electronics)

shoko nagai( compositions, piano, electronics)

satoshi takeishi( percussions)

Elliot sharp-e guitar/effect
Shoko Nagai- moog/effect
Kato Hideki- e bass
Satoshi Takeishi- Percs.electronics
pick up sato's cymbals- Mr.Ned Rothenberg

One day, my old electric organ talked to me and said "play me ! ". 
I was immediately sitting in front of the organ and all these sentiments of living in a city came to me. So I started to follow my inspiration, disappointment, wonder, disgust, happiness and all the other emotions associated with living in this city.
Then this music was born.
It usually takes month and month to compose a music for me. And I usually use either piano or accordion for that.
But this time was a little different.
May be the organ is getting to its last stage of life and wanted to shine before the the electric motor burns out.
Or may be it just wanted to be on stage.
So it talked to me.
I am very happy I could write this music for this organ and playing for you
Ned Rothenberg (Clarinet)
Sarah Bernstein (Violin)
Shoko Nagai (60's antique organ, piano, electronics)
Satoshi Takeishi (percussion, electronics)

Shoko Nagai
Satoshi Takeishi
live at Sunnyside Nagoya JAPAN

ABYSM (a tale of floating world)
A Tale
This sorrowful life is like an oxcart wheel
This sorrowful life is like an oxcart wheel
Is my nemesis from a past life?
(from Noh " Aoi no ue")

The origin of the word "Ukiyo" meant" sorrowful world", the early plane of death and rebirth.
Eventually the Buddhist notion of a "transient world", a fleeting world" replaced the original meaning. And in the edo period (1600-1867), "floating world" was used to described the urban life style, especially the pleasure seeking aspects of a growing middle class.

Experimental Piano/Percs, Electronics duo has been incorporating free improvisation, composition, electronics, found objects and visual elements into performances to create a unique path into the world of contemporary music. Their performances are based on stories and they create sound textures almost visible to the listener.
In this performance, they will perform new compositions based on a tale of "floating world," a world where illusion is sustained by multiple shifting elements.

David Watson ( Bagpipe, Guitar) Ikue Mori (Laptop) Shoko Nagai (Piano, electronics, Nintendo DS)

Shoko Nagai’s TOKALA

Sita Chay (violin)

Shoko Nagai (vo, accordion)

Satoshi Takeishi (Percussions)

Shoko Nagai’s Tokala

Sita Chay (violin)

Shoko Nagai (vo, accordion)

Satoshi Takeishi (percussions)

Shoko Nagai 9 voice, accordion)

Jonathan Goldberger (guiter)

Satoshi Takeishi (percussions)

Shoko Nagai (voice, accordion)

Jonathan Goldberger (guiter)

Satoshi Takeishi (percussions)

Isle of Klezbos performs Cartagena Chosidl at the CD release show for their latest album "Live from Brooklyn" at Joe's Pub at the Public on April 6, 2014. Original klezmer cumbia composed by Rick Faulkner!
ISLE of KLEZBOS:
Debra Kreisberg, clarinet
Pamela Fleming, trumpet
Shoko Nagai, accordion
Saskia Lane, double bass
Eve Sicular, drums and bandleader

Jeremiah Lockwood (voice, guitar)

Shoko Nagai (Hammond B3 Organ)

John Bollinger (drums)

BALKANIKA

Mimi Berkova (voice)

Ismail Lumanovski (clarinet)

Shoko Nagai ( accordion)

Dan Nadel (guitar)

Satoshi Takeishi ( percussions)

Ismail Lumanovski (clarinet)

Shoko Nagai (accordion)

Dan Nadel (guitar)

Engin Kaan Gunydin (drums)

Balkanika

Ismail Lumanovski (clarinet)

Shoko Nagai (accordion)

Dan Nadel (guitar)

Engin Kaan Gunydin (drums)

Michael Winograd’s Honorable Mentshn

Michael Winograd (clarinet)

Brian Drye (trombone)

Shoko Nagai (piano)

Will Holshler (accordion)

Zoe Guigunad (bass)

David Licht (drums)

Michael Winograd’s Honorable Mentshn

Michael Winograd (clarinet)

Brian Drye (trombone)

Shoko Nagai (piano)

Will Holshler (accordion)

Zoe Guigunad (bass)

David Licht (drums)