CHORO CLUB

Members: Shigeharu Sasago, Oh Akioka, Jyoji Sawada

An acoustic string trio formed in 1989, Choro Club takes its name from the Brazilian instrumental style but refuses to be pinned down by it. The group recorded their debut album in 1990 and has built a distinctive sound over two decades that draws from choro's mood while branching into something entirely their own—sometimes intense, sometimes deeply sentimental.

Oh Akioka (bandolim) brings Brazilian music roots but works across many genres. Shigeharu Sasago is known for his highly personal guitar style, one he's developed by absorbing Brazilian groove into his own approach. Jyoji Sawada, a double bassist and respected contemporary composer, provides sensitive harmonic support. Nearly all tracks across their 18 albums have been written by the trio themselves, which speaks to their tight creative collaboration.

Their music doesn't fit neatly into any category, and that's kind of the point. They've performed everywhere from concert halls and clubs to art museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, Shinto shrines, breweries, and outdoor festivals—the variety of venues mirrors their stylistic restlessness.

Even in Brazil, Choro Club's work has earned serious praise. When they recorded their third album in Rio in 1992, an outdoor concert organized by the city's tourism department drew 3,000 people and made local news. The Japan Foundation sponsored a Latin American tour in 1995 covering six countries. In 2003, they collaborated with Okinawan actress Tomi Taira on an original musical play called "NIRAIKANAI" in São Paulo.

The 2000s saw prolific output: three albums in 2005 alone ("PREVENDO," the "ARIA" anime soundtrack, and greatest hits collection "REVENDO"), followed by two more "ARIA" soundtracks in 2006 and 2008. Their latest release, "Trilogia," came out in 2009.

Fans often note that Choro Club achieves something rare—genuine musical sophistication paired with an adult sense of ease and pleasure. Their work carries universal appeal.