Akira Jimbo

Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira, born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer who combines electronic drum technology and acoustic drums. Aside from his solo work, he is the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea and has participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.

Akira Jimbo
Background information
Born (1959-02-27) February 27, 1959
Tokyo, Japan
GenresJazz Fusion, Electronic
Occupation(s)Musician, Songwriter, Record Producer
InstrumentsDrum set
Years active1979–present
Associated actsCasiopea, Jimsaku, Pyramid

Background

Akira Jimbo began drumming at the age of 18 when he joined the Keio University Light Music Society Big Band. He became a member of Casiopea in 1980.[1] During his solo career he formed Jimsaku-duo with Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. He has also worked with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square in the drum-duo Synchronized DNA.

Jimbo has a drumming style which is best demonstrated in his drum videos and at his drum clinics. By using the DTX drum triggering system, he is able to play a full band sound without a backing track. Jimbo has assisted in the design of K Custom Hybrid Series of cymbals by Zildjian. His drum hero is Steve Gadd.

In 1999, he won second place in the British drum magazine RHYTHM for most popular drummer. In June 2000, he became the first Asian drummer to be featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine. He appeared in the Modern Drummers Festival in 2000.

Drum setup
One of Akira Jimbo's many Yamaha drumsets, with his 2nd signature 13"x7" beech snare drum

One unique aspect of Jimbo's drumming is the setup of his drums. Using acoustic drums together with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create a live performance with an array of different sounds. Apart from endorsing Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals, he also endorses Vic Firth drumsticks.

MIDI Drum Trigger System

He claims every sound is triggered as a live performance by himself, which is true in the past as the limitation of the trigger system during that time. As his career progress, in fact, now he did use many sequencing programs during some portions such as in intense drum solo part or some difficult arrangements.

Main Drum Kit Setup

Acoustic Drums

  • Yamaha WSD13AJ (13"×7") Beech Custom Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum
  • Yamaha YD9000AJ (8",10",12",14",16",22") Birch Custom Akira Jimbo debut 30th Anniversary Kit

Cymbals

  • Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Series
    • 13.25" Hi-Hat
    • 17", 19" Crash
    • 19" China
    • 21" Ride
    • 9" Splash
    • 15" Trash Smash/Crash

Electronic Drum Trigger

  • Yamaha DTX900

Past Equipments

Drum Sets

  • 1980 – YD9000R
  • 1990 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
  • 1992 – Maple Custom
  • 1995 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
  • 1997 – Beech Custom
  • 2001 – Beech Custom Absolute
  • 2004 – Oak Custom Absolute
  • 2005 – Oak Custom Akira Jimbo 25th anniversary
  • 2010 – YD9000AJ Akira Jimbo 30th anniversary

Signature Snare Drums

  • 1992 – MSD13AJ Maple 7ply Power Hoop (Limited)
  • 1997 – WSD13AJ Beech 8ply Wood Hoop
  • 2004 – NSD13AJ Oak 6ply Wood Hoop (Limited)
  • 2012 – BSD1450AJ Old Birch 6ply Steel Hoop (Limited)

Discography

Studio Albums - Solo
Year Albums
1986 Cotton
1989 Palette
1990 Jimbo
1991 Slow Boat
1992 Penguin Parasol
1993 Lime Pie
1994 Panama Man
1995 Rooms by the Sea
1996 Flower
1997 Stone Butterfly
2007 Four Colors
2008 Get Up!
2009-09-02 Jimbomba
2010-02-10 Jimbo Gumbo
2011-01-12 Jimbo Jamboree
2012-01-17 Smile Smile
2013-01-09 Mind Scope
2014-01-08 Crossover the World
2014-01-14 Groove of Life
2016-01-01 Munity
2017-01-13 21
2018-01-01 22 South Bound
2018-01-01 23 West Bound

Covers Albums
Year Albums
2012-01-14 Jimbo de Cover
2013-01-09 Jimbo de Cover 2
2014-01-08 Jimbo de Cover 3
2015-01-07 Jimbo de CTI
2016-01-01 Jimbo de Jimbo 80's

Collaborations
Year Albums
1994 Navel - as Jimsaku, with Tetsuo Sakurai
2000 Intelligent Jazz #1 - with Kay Nakayama

Compilations
Year Albums
1994-06-25 Beach Picnics Vol.1 Instrumental
2010-02-10 Jimbest

Unit albums
Year Albums
CASIOPEA
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
Shambara
1989
  • Shambara
Jimsaku
1990
  • Jimsaku
1991
  • 45 ℃
1992
  • Jade
  • Viva!
1993
  • 100%
  • Wind Loves Us
1994
  • Navel
1995
  • Blaze of Passion
  • Best Selection
1996
  • Dispensation
1997
  • Mega db
Casiopea Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band
1997
  • Live in Yokohama
1998
  • II ~September~
1999
  • III ~My Favourite~
Intelligent JAZZ
2000
  • IV ~La Rumba~
  • Intellijent Jazz #1
2001
  • Main Gate
  • V ~La Noche Tropical~
ヒダじんぼ
2002
  • VI ~En Vivo~
  • Live 2002 (DVD)
  • SkyandGround
  • Bridge
JB Project
2003
  • VII ~Spain~
  • Brombo!
2004
  • VII ~The Covers~
  • Stevie is wonderful
  • Brombo! 2
Synchronized DNA (DVDs)
2005
  • IX ~Mas Tropical!~
  • Jazz Only Lives Twice
  • Double Drum Performance
  • Live Tour 2005
Pyramid
2005
  • Pyramid
2006
  • Telepath
  • X ~Swing con Clave~
  • 10th Anniversary Live (DVD)
  • Stevie is wonderful More
  • Double Drum Performance 2
2007
  • XI ~Let's Groove~
  • Are You Synchronized?
2008
  • XII ~The Originals~
2009
  • XII ~Fantasy~
2010
  • XIII ~Liberty City~
2011
  • Pyramid3

Drums Lesson Series
Year Title Media
1992 Metamorphosis VHS
1995 Pulse VHS
1997 Independence VHS
1999 Evolution VHS
2003 Wasabi DVD
2003 Fujiyama DVD
2004 Solo Drum Performance ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2005 Solo Drum Performance 2 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2006 Solo Drum Performance 3 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD
2007 Solo Drum Performance 4 ~神保彰の作り方~ DVD
2008 Solo Drum Performance 5 ~Circuit Exercises~ DVD
2009 Solo Drum Performance 6 ~Offset Exercises~ DVD
2010 Solo Drum Performance 7 ~Shadow Exercises~ DVD
2011 Solo Drum Performance 8 ~Dotted Exercises~ DVD

References
  1. "Akira Jimbo". www.drummerworld.com. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
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