Stomu Yamashta

One of the most original and gifted composers and percussionists of modern Japan, Yamash'ta started his musical career at the young age of 16, scouted by conductor Seiji Ozawa for his Japan National Symphonic Orchestra. Besides authoring several soundtracks for Japanese and foreign movies, he played on a wide range of styles from contemporary to jazz, progressive pop and new age, enjoying success in Europe and the US during the early 1970s. After a mystical crisis which he spent by retreating to a Buddhist temple in his native Kyoto, he released two new recordings in 1990.