http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.11660&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rssMasaoka has made a name for herself by doing new things with an ancient instrument. She plays the koto, a harp-like Japanese zither, from which she summons a full range of plucks, scrapes, rattles, and beautifully cascading flurries. Her original background in Japanese Gagaku court music has over the years given way to endeavors in computer-based Electronic music, textural Free Improvisation, and Bop-ish jazz. However, rather than merely making gimmicky use of an "exotic" instrument by placing it in foreign contexts, she establishes herself on equal footing by taking an assertive, headfirst approach. Her playing can be alternately tumultuous and peaceful, confrontational and supportive, but always distinguishes itself through a unique sense of space and sonic detail. While awkward moments of culture-clash can occasionally surface, Masaoka's accomplishments bear the mark of one confidently heading into uncharted territory. - Will YorkFree Improvisationen720Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:01:45 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.11660&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss Masaoka has made a name for herself by doing new things with an ancient instrument. She plays the koto, a harp-like Japanese zither, from which she summons a full range of plucks, scrapes, rattles, and beautifully cascading flurries. Her original background in Japanese Gagaku court music has over the years given way to endeavors in computer-based Electronic music, textural Free Improvisation, and Bop-ish jazz. However, rather than merely making gimmicky use of an "exotic" instrument by placing it in foreign contexts, she establishes herself on equal footing by taking an assertive, headfirst approach. Her playing can be alternately tumultuous and peaceful, confrontational and supportive, but always distinguishes itself through a unique sense of space and sonic detail. While awkward moments of culture-clash can occasionally surface, Masaoka's accomplishments bear the mark of one confidently heading into uncharted territory. - Will York http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.20431354&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss Free Improvisation Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Miya Masaoka Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.20431354 alb.20431354 Miya Masaoka art.11660 3.99 Accordion Koto alb.20431354 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/1/8/3/1223814_170x170.jpg 2007-01-01 00:00:00.0 2007-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.20431354&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.20431354&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9285251&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss Free Improvisation Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Miya Masaoka Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.9285251 alb.9285251 Miya Masaoka art.11660 3.99 While I was walking, I heard a sound... alb.9285251 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/8/7/1/9/779178_170x170.jpg 2005-09-21 00:00:00.0 2005-09-21 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9285251&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9285251&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.13425070&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss Free Improvisation Thu, 12 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Miya Masaoka Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.13425070 alb.13425070 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 For Birds, Planes and Cello alb.13425070 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/6/2/5/8/978526_170x170.jpg 2005-05-12 00:00:00.0 2005-07-01 00:00:00.0 true false single http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.13425070&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.13425070&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.201322&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss Free Improvisation Tue, 20 Jul 1999 00:00:00 -0700 Miya Masaoka Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.201322 alb.201322 Miya Masaoka art.11660 6.99 Compositions Improvisations alb.201322 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/7/7/5/645777_170x170.jpg 1999-07-20 00:00:00.0 1996-03-08 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.201322&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.201322&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Fdiscography.rss