Yu Hatakeyama

Percussionist You Hatakeyama graduated from the Kunitachi College of Music where she received the Most Outstanding Player Award at the New Future Players Concert at the time of her graduation. She has supported many artists in a wide range of genres, including: Yosui Inoue, Keisuke Kuwata, Saori Yuki, Ouyang Feifei, Iruka, Ayano Uema, 12 Girls Band, Chen Min (of Chinese Erhu), Horimitsu Agatsuma (of Tsugaru-jamisen), and Iwao Furusawa (of Violin), while also concentrating on some solo works. Yu Hatakeyama’s professional interests continue to expand beyond just being a musician, she has organized live musical battling against virtuoso drummer Kozo Suganuma, and sometimes collaborates with Rakugo storyteller, Maestro Shunputei Shota, for experimental Comedy and Music installations because of her love for the classical Japanese comedies (Rakugo).

In 2009, she released her debut album, HYPS (Hatakeyama YOU Project for Spirits), on the Japanese label, Pony Canyon. In early 2012, Yu released an album titled “Yoake No Cats” from EMI Music Japan as a member of the Saori Yuki Band, followed by a release of her own charity mini-album “Hikari No Michi” later that year. She was also appointed as the honorable 21st SanSan Numazu Ambassador to promote travel and leisure of Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Yu Hatakeyama’s latest album was released in March 2014 from Kino Music.

How we met:

We met this amazingly talented percussionist in Tokyo, and knew right away that she would be an amazing addition to our new Songs Around the World.