coba, , is a Japanese musician,
accordionist,
composer and arranger, born in
Matsushiro, Nagano
Matsushiro () was a historically important town in Hanishina District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In 1966, it was incorporated into Nagano City.
In general
Matsushiro was a thriving town as the center of Matsushiro Domain under the Sanada clan_ ...
and brought up in
Niigata, Niigata
is a city located in the northern part of Niigata Prefecture (). It is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture, and one of the cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, located in the Chūbu region of Japan. I ...
. His music has sold over 1,000,000 CDs.
Yasuhiro Kobayashi
Accordionsonline. Accessed 2007-08-03.
coba started playing accordion when he was nine. At the age of 18 he moved to Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
in order to hone his music skills in local educational institution and graduated with honours.
In April 1979 coba won an accordionist contest in Japan; in September he did the same in Italy and in October 1980 he was recognized as the best in Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
.
coba creates his own music and makes arrangements for famous compositions.Homogenic
''Homogenic'' is the third studio album by Icelandic recording artist Björk. It was released on 20 September 1997 by One Little Indian Records. Produced by Björk, Mark Bell, Guy Sigsworth, Howie B, and Markus Dravs, the album marked a styli ...
and touring in more than sixty countries. Throughout his career coba also worked with Goldie
Clifford Joseph Price MBE (born 19 September 1965), better known as Goldie, is a British music producer and DJ.
Initially gaining exposure for his work as a graffiti artist, Goldie became well known for his pioneering role as a musician in t ...
, 808 State, Underworld
The underworld, also known as the netherworld or hell, is the supernatural world of the dead in various religious traditions and myths, located below the world of the living. Chthonic is the technical adjective for things of the underwor ...
, Plaid and Howie B
Howard Bernstein (born 18 April 1963, Glasgow, Scotland), professionally known as Howie B, is a Scottish musician, producer and DJ who has worked with artists including: Björk, U2, Tricky, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Soul II Soul, Robbie ...
.
In 1996 French magazine Nova Magazine named "Roots" album the best one. In 2001 coba was awarded "The Best Composer of the Year" for his soundtracks according to Japanese Award Academy. In 2002 he created music for Pokémon. In 2006 coba was awarded "Voce d’oro" - the prize of "the most active accordionist in the world".
coba released more than 30 albums. He considers that his music doesn't belong to any genre.
References
Website
*
Coba - Victoria Accordions
1959 births
Living people
People from Nagano Prefecture
Musicians from Niigata Prefecture
21st-century accordionists
21st-century Japanese male musicians
Japanese accordionists
{{Japan-musician-stub