Leonard Eto

Official Site : LEONARD ETO
Myspace : LEONARD ETO

Born in New York, 1963, Leonard joined the Japanese Taiko drum group, KODO in 1984, for which he served as the principal player, organizer, music director as well as composer.
In 1992, Leonard left KODO to pursue a solo career, and thereafter produced his own projects such as the Planet "Leo", which incorporates string quartet and his improvisational performances in "Blendrums".
One of the unique qualities that defines Leonard’s artistic character is his exchanges with international artists which have taken him to over 35 countries.

GRATITUDE / Leonard Eto

Anthology album compiling his works since 1998 till 2006.
(2008 release)

AOI TSUKI / Leonard Eto

Title "Aoi Tsuki" means "Blue Moon".
Sixth album of Leonard Eto.
Collaboration with chamber music Quartet and piano.
Featuring Oshikane Strings Quartet, Dai Sakakibara (piano), Osamu Matsumoto (trombone), Kumiko Takara (percussion), Takeharu Hayakawa (bass), Hiroaki Mizutani (bass).
(2007 release)

BLENDRUMS / Leonard Eto

Fifth album of Leonard Eto.
Collaborating with ultimate drummers and percussionists.
Featuring Eiji Kikuchi (drums), Shinya (drums), Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (drums), Yoichi Okabe (percussion), Steve Eto (metallic percussion), Hide (taiko), Takeharu Hayakawa (bass).
(2007 release)

OCEAN / Leonard Eto

Fourth album of Leonard Eto.
Live recorded acoustic performance featuring Kifu Mitsuhashi (Syakuhachi), Natsuki Kido (guitar), Hiroshi Motofuji (taiko), and Leo Pro (taiko ensemble).
(2006 release)

BLEND / Leonard Eto

Third album of Leonard Eto.
Blended album of live recordings and studio recordings.
Featuring Keisuke Ohta (violin), Kazunori Kumagai (tap), Steve Eto (metallic percussion), and Leo Pro (taiko ensemble).
(2005 release)

PRESENCE (DVD) / Leonard Eto

Leonard Eto's movie contents featuring Zakir Hussain (tabla), Aja Addy (percussion), Steve Eto (metallic percussion).
(2003 release)

DUETS / Leonard Eto

Second album of Leonard Eto.
Featuring duo collaborations with Zakir Hussain (tabla), Aja Addy (percussion), Stephen Kent (didgeridoo), Steve Eto (metallic percussion).
(2002 release)

ALIVE! IN TENKAWA / Leonard Eto & Steve Eto

2001 Dedication live performance for Tenkawa Shrine by Leonard and Steve, Eto brothers.
(2001 release)

LEO +1 / Leonard Eto

First album of Leonard Eto.
Originally 1998 released, and 2003 reissued with one bonus track added.
Featuring Kazutoki Umezu (sax), Nobuyoshi Ino (bass), Keisuke Ohta (violin), Yuji Katsui (violin), Tsuneo Imahori (guitar), Mai Yamane & Eiko Yamane (chorus).
(2003 release)