Masumi Timson (Salem) is an acclaimed musician trained in playing the koto, a traditionally Japanese stringed instrument. Timson also sings classical Japanese songs with koto and shamisen accompaniment and enjoys collaborating with a variety of western musical instruments to explore a wide range of musical genres from Jazz, Blues, and Tango, to the compositions by Mozart and Brahms, etc.
Bio
Masumi, born and raised in Japan, holds a Master’s Degree (Shihan) in traditional Japanese music with specialization in the Koto from Seiha Conservatory of Japanese traditional music in Tokyo. She plays both classical and contemporary Koto music, and also sings Japanese classical songs with Koto and Shamisen accompaniment. She also enjoys collaborating with a variety of western musical instruments to explore a wide range of musical genres from Jazz, Blues, and Tango, to the compositions by Mozart and Brahms etc.
Masumi participated in the recording of several of Pink Martini's albums, including 2011 Japan Record Award Winner and iTunes No. 1 Jazz Chart Hit 1969, with Japanese legendary singer Saori Yuki. She has performed with the band at various venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Grand Rex Theatre in Paris, Blue Note Tokyo, Tokyo Kokusai Forum and Tokyo Billboard Live in Tokyo.
Masumi also plays in the “SamaZama Koto/Cello Duo” which is a collaboration of the Koto – a Japanese traditional musical instrument played By Masumi Timson and Dr. Joseph Harchanko. “Samazama” is the Japanese word for variety. The SamaZama Duo combines the esoteric nature of traditional and contemporary Japanese music with tango, jazz, blues and western classical music, blending the instruments and music of Eastern and Western cultures in a moving and uncommon musical synthesis. Their music deftly unites these two widely divergent instruments through traditional and contemporary Koto works to create a vibrant musical soundscape that soothes and inspires.
Masumi has released her own CDs, Picture Dreams (Koto/Violin Duo), a collaboration album with Fumino Ando (Oregon Symphony), and Pacific Bridge and Confluence with Richard Crandell, featuring the Koto and Mbira, a traditional African instrument.
Masumi performs in various settings and at various venues, such as festivals, exhibitions and shows, corporate events and promotions, weddings, funerals, public libraries, schools, retirement homes, museums, Japanese garden, restaurants, etc.
She also presents a PowerPoint Koto music lecture/workshop, and storytelling (Japanese folktales) with Koto music at various venues and has given presentations at Willamette University, Lewis & Clark College, Multicultural Festivals, and Japanese Garden etc.
Masumi provides a variety of musical sessions, depending on your needs, a solo performance, collaboration with shakuhachi (Japanese traditional bamboo flute), or other western instruments such as piano, flute, cello, and violin etc. She very much enjoys these unique musical experiences collaborating with other instruments from totally different parts of the world, which brings cultures together and help develop cultural awareness. She believes this proves that music is boundless and we can bring peace to the world through music. Masumi is currently directing and instructing Koto club at Willamette University and teaches at her own studio in Salem. She also teaches Japanese language and culture at Chemeketa Community College in Salem.
