http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.11660&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.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 Improvisationen720Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:36:42 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.11660&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.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=tra.12447471&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Tue, 10 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 12447471 tra.12447471 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.0 Trancepatterns alb.12446541 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/0/8/4/9/939480_170x170.jpg 2006-10-10 00:00:00.0 2006-10-10 00:00:00.0 true On a 6-note Row with Miya Masaoka tra.12447471 577000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12447471&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.12447471&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294153&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 9294153 tra.9294153 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Part 4 tra.9294153 542000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294153&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294153&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459752&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459752 tra.459752 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Lifet tra.459752 573000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459752&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459752&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459753&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459753 tra.459753 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Come Sunday tra.459753 372000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459753&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459753&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459754&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459754 tra.459754 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Still / Motion / Ness tra.459754 804000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459754&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459754&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459756&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459756 tra.459756 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Unearthed / Unbound tra.459756 664000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459756&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459756&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459757&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459757 tra.459757 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Hope In The Afternoon tra.459757 614000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459757&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459757&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459759&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459759 tra.459759 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Ainu Welcome Song tra.459759 197000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459759&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459759&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433057&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 20433057 tra.20433057 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Daybreak - Akegarasu (Sound Of A Crow) tra.20433057 773000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433057&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433057&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433058&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 20433058 tra.20433058 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Forenoon - Hirumae, Just Before Noon tra.20433058 1465000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433058&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433058&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433060&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Mon, 1 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 20433060 tra.20433060 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Twilight - Boshou (Tolling Of A Bell) tra.20433060 1167000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433060&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.20433060&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459755&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459755 tra.459755 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Illusion #34 tra.459755 680000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459755&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459755&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459758&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 8 Mar 1996 00:00:00 -0800 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 459758 tra.459758 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Topaz Refractions tra.459758 377000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459758&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.459758&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.8854957&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Tue, 18 May 1999 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 8854957 tra.8854957 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 Hallelujah, Anyway: Remembering Tom Cora alb.8845668 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/5/8/5/755853_170x170.jpg 1999-05-18 00:00:00.0 1999-05-18 00:00:00.0 true Tomcat tra.8854957 308000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.8854957&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.8854957&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294150&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 9294150 tra.9294150 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Part 1 tra.9294150 537000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294150&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294150&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294151&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 9294151 tra.9294151 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Part 2 tra.9294151 282000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294151&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294151&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294152&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 9294152 tra.9294152 Miya Masaoka art.11660 0.99 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 Part 3 tra.9294152 509000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294152&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.9294152&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13430170&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss Free Improvisation Fri, 1 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 Top Tracks by Miya Masaoka on Rhapsody Online 13430170 tra.13430170 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 For Birds, Planes and Cello tra.13430170 3265000 http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13430170&variant=play&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.13430170&variant=data&rws=%2Fmiya-masaoka%2Ftop-tracks.rss