OKURA, Shonosuke
OKURA, Shonosuke is the eldest son of the late Chojuro Okura, the 15th master of the Okura style of Japanese drumming. The Okura family, a renowned Noh musical accompaniment family active in the field of the big and small hand drum, has existed for some 650 years. Okura has performed on stage in commemoration of the Nobel Peace laureate the Dalai Lama and also at the final Christmas concert of the last millennium (December, 2000) held at the Vatican Palace Concert Hall. He has also performed in many other ceremonies and events around the world.

The Chisan Shomyo Kenkyukai
The Chisan Shomyo Kenkyukai is affiliated with the Kanzoin Shomyo group. It was started by students of the Buddhist Taisho University in 1990. The Chisan Shomyo Kenkyukai has performed Shomyo at home and abroad. Based on the traditional Shomyo chants of the Chisan branch of the Shingon sect, the group actively strives to improve their chanting techniques. Today, they have some 80 members, and have even collaborated with various musical groups. Last year they performed in the Tendai Shingon Mandala Shomyo concert and in a concert commemorating victims of the September 11th attacks on the United States.

Daihonzan Zojo-ji Gagaku group
Daihonzan Zojo-ji is the head temple of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land school of Buddhism). Gagaku refers to the dance and music of the ancient Japanese court. The Daihonzan Zojo-ji Gagaku group was established in 1937, in commemoration of the 500th annniversary of the founding of Zojo-ji. Today, this group performs at many religious ceremonies, notably for the anniversary rites of the death of the monk Honen, the founder of the Jodo-shu. The Zojo-ji Gagaku group is also energetically involved overseas and has performed in the United States, Europe, and China. In 2003, the Zojo-ji Gagaku group played at a Jodo-shu temple in Los Angeles to mourn victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11th, 2001.

Group of Otsugunai Kagura
Otsugunai village, at the foot of Mt. Hayachine, Iwate Prefecture, is well known for its traditional dance and music. In 1976 Otsugunai kagura was nominated by the Japanese government as the first National Important Intangible Folkloric Cultural Property. Otsugunai currently preserves about 50 different dances and comical plays. The program traditionally ends with Gongen-mai, the dance of the sacred lion-head god, which will be performed tonight. The Gongen, manifestation of the divine, has long been worshipped as a god in this parts, where it visits all homes of the village or is often invited to celebrations to offer prayers against fire disasters and evil spirits.

Wadaiko performance group GENSO.
The base of the group GENSO is at the foot of Mt. Zaô, Miyagi Prefecture, which has been important as a holy mountain in the Japanese history. Their performance expresses the spirit of folk culture of Northeast Japan.

Muhammad Qadri Dalal
Leader of Ensemble Ornina, Syria. Ud / traditional Arabic lute player.

'He is one of the rarest masterly performers in the Arab world that are versed in Taqsim, Arabic-style improvisation, on the Ud, and presents Arab musical heritage in his expression with utmost authenticity.'

from al-Hayat, April 2002, Arabic newspaper based in London.

Born in 1946 in Aleppo. He has been playing for celebrated Aleppian singers such as Sabri Moudallal and Sabah Fakhri. Performing en ensemble as well as solo around the world since 1970's, he received Charles Cros Award, France, for his first solo recording in 1988, and received several awards from the French government, the Syrian government, and other musical festivals. Now leader of Ensemble Ornina, and member of Ensemble al-Kindi since 1994. He also plays with Denis Colin & Les Arpenteurs, French Jazz group since 2002.