Kento Masuda

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Kento Masuda
増田顕人
Kento Masuda at the 57th Grammy Awards Ceremony 2015
Kento Masuda at the 57th Grammy Awards Ceremony 2015
Background information
Birth nameMasuda Kento
Also known asKENT, Kent Masuda
Born (1973-06-29) 29 June 1973 (age 48)
OriginKatori, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
GenresInstrumental, piano, new-age, classical, pop, electronica
Occupation(s)Composer, Pianist, songwriter, record producer, film producer, actor, fashion model
InstrumentsPiano, MIDI master keyboard, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Years active1990–present
LabelsJPMC Records, Kento Masuda Music, LLC, Kent on Music, Inc. (ASCAP)
Websitekentomasuda.com

Kento Masuda (増田 顕人, Masuda Kento, born 29 June 1973, in Katori, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese composer and recording artist. He is a member of The Recording Academy,[1] and his work has been described as "one of this world's artistic treasures."[2] As an exclusive player for KAWAI pianos, Masuda is the sole player of the one million dollar Crystal Grand Piano.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Kento Masuda began playing keyboards at the age of 5. While preferring to compose his own music instead of playing standard repertoires, Masuda took part in a variety of contests for talented young musicians. By the age of 10, he began winning competitions including the Junior Original Competition of Yamaha Music Foundation.[3]

Early music career[]

From 1990, Masuda began conducting professional public performances as YAMAHA's employed musician at age of 17, while playing classical and modern compositions for events, ceremony halls and Yamaha shop on 5th Ave in New York. Just a year later Masuda released his original first album "Wheel of Fortune".[3] Between 1993 and 1995, Masuda lived in New York where he worked in the area of music production. His success at such a young age set the foundation for a lifetime of performances, composing, and music production.[4]

During this time, Masuda worked on several musical projects and jobs, including radio, game, and TV/CM music offerings in Tokyo.[4] These were written (both music and lyrics), arranged, and performed on keyboards by Masuda. Masuda also produced his original solo album entitled "MYOJYOW" (a non-standard transliteration of 明星 (myōjō), the Japanese word for "Morning Star" or Venus) on 19 June 1998. Since then he has used the alias "Kent Masuda". "MYOJYOW" was audio mastered by Bobby Hata. On 26 October 1999, Masuda released "MEMORIES". Both albums were submitted in the U.S. which resulted in Masuda receiving positive feedback from major companies, including Steve Vai's management office of Sepetys Entertainment Group in Santa Monica. CEO Ruta Sepetys (who is also a music producer) suggested that Masuda join forces with recording artist Steve Vai, but Masuda chose to remain a solo artist.[5]

2000s[]

In 2000, Masuda established his own publishing company and label, Kent on Music, Inc. (ASCAP) as well as producing and recording studio "Externalnet" in Tokyo.[5] The 6th album "HANDS" released on August 26, 2003, was mixed with a producer Tadashi Namba and mastered by Bobby Hata in Los Angeles CA. Masuda used the alias "KENT" on the 1st edition of this album. The album was promoted to MIDEM in Cannes, France. It then entered the European music market, particularly among German audiences, which led to Masuda's interview with Klassik Radio Hamburg. Additionally, program sponsor Galerie ATTA's owner Ruth Atta along with artist Delphine Charat, who painted Masuda's portrait, showed the connection of music to painting to masterpiece.[6][7][8]

In 2005, Masuda signed with JPMC Records,[9] a Swiss label based in New York and became a member of the ASCAP. Since then, he has used no alias and only uses his real name of "Kento Masuda". His 7th album, "GlobeSounds," was released on 13 June 2006, and mixed with Grammy-nominated producer Charles Eller and Lane Gibson. "GlobeSounds" was mastered by Bobby Hata. During the recording of "GlobeSounds", Hon. Ambassador Madeleine M. Kunin visited at Eller's music studio in Charlotte, Vermont, US.[10]

In 2007, Masuda's music has enjoyed continued growth from Myspace and Last.FM along with recent airplay on radio stations internationally. His catalog of compositions and recordings has been featured on MTV, NME Magazine, and BBC Music.[11][12][13] In 2009, Masuda created several music videos: "So We Are" "Shine On" a documentary film "Down to Earth" which describe his album "GlobeSounds" and "Musical Notation and Concrete Poetry" (featuring the author Diana Macs and the Portuguese poet, Luís Adriano Carlos).[8]

2010s[]

Kento Masuda being given a certificate of commendation by the Knights of the Order of St. Sylvester
Kento Masuda being accoladed by the Knights of the Order of Sovereign Military Order of Malta

Masuda's 8th album "Light Speed+" was released on 11 September 2010. With a strong emphasis and weight on composition, Masuda also showcased his unique style with a full-length synthesis album. After that, Masuda received honorable mention in the "International Songwriting Competition", with "Tree" (from the album "GlobeSounds") in the instrumental category.[14] This was followed by achieving an honorable mention in 2012 in the same category.[15]

In 2011, Masuda composed music for renowned designer Yohji Yamamoto's Femme Autumn Winter 2011–2012 Paris Fashion Week fashion show which featured his compositions "Hands" and "Little Tokyo Poetry".[16] They continued to collaborate on Masuda's creative short music film "Godsend Rondo" directed by Tomo Oya in Hokkaido. In this film Masuda dressed in Yamamoto's Ready-to-wear collection.[17] The film "Godsend Rondo" has already been viewed worldwide by over 100,000 on YouTube and this work has won numerous awards.[8][18]

On 26 September 2012, Masuda's first piano solo album and piano book "All in the Silence" was released, followed by two live performances "Force in the Silence" and "Force in the Silence 2" at Musicasa Acoustic Concert Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[19] His performances featured classic pieces that highlighted his career thus far, with themes that touch upon the many feelings of life along with those unspoken but shared thoughts that transcend all borders.[20]

On 16 April 2014, Kento Masuda released his 10th album "Loved One," which was produced by Masuda and multiple award-winning Miami producer Gary Vandy.[21][22] "Loved One" was recorded at Gary Vandy's Studio Center in Miami, which has produced recordings that have won 8 Grammy awards along with multiple platinum albums. "Loved One" features musicians Paul Messina (Flashpoint) and Kevin Marcus Sylvester (Black Violin) and utilizes the HQCD process for superior sound quality.[1]

On 14 November 2014, Masuda, along with Japanese singer/songwriter Hiroko Tsuji in Milan, Italy.

On 6December 2014, Masuda performed at the "Associazione dei Cavalieri di San Silvestro" celebration of Monumentalis Ecclesiae Sancti Silvestri Societas in Tivoli, Italy.[23]

On 8 February 2015, Kento Masuda attended the prestigious 57th GRAMMY Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles. Kento had four official submissions for this year's GRAMMY consideration from his latest album, "Loved One", produced by Kento and Gary Vandy.[24][25] 2015 continued to be a landmark year for Kento, as he was nominated to the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for his 2002 composition "Tree," a classic piece in Kento's repertoire.[26] He also received global recognition of the Global Music Awards and was honored as a winner with a silver medal for "Addicted" (featuring Paul Messina) from his latest release "Loved One" (2014).[27]

On 5 July 2017, Kento Masuda received an Artisan World Festival Peace International Initiative "Music, Performance & Humanitarian" Award at the United Nations in New York. This selection is based on his continued engagement with the performing arts and commitment to humanitarian projects that promote cultural diversity, cultural preservation, and world peace in addition to your innovative contribution in music. This group is a part of New Generation In Action an organization supported by the United Nations with Special Consultative Status with the United Nations for Economic and Social Development.[28][29]

Style and influence[]

Masuda's composing style is characterized by intricate keyboard lines with obvious melodies, deep percussion grooves, and layers of rhythm and sound that draw the listener into a whole new world with each note. From his interview, Masuda says that he was influenced by both Johann Sebastian Bach; "His music theory has a major impact on everything, even today". And Alan Menken; "The music of Disney films has so much magic in himself and always promises a happy ending".[3]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

Title Release date
1st Wheel of Fortune Japan December 24, 1992
2nd Fouren Japan February 14, 1995
3rd MYOJYOW United StatesJapan June 19, 1998
4th MEMORIES United States October 26, 1999
5th Music Magic Japan October 18, 2000
6th HANDS United StatesJapan August 26, 2003
7th GlobeSounds United StatesJapanSwitzerland June 13, 2006
8th Light Speed+ United States September 11, 2010
9th All in the Silence United StatesJapanGermany September 26, 2012
10th Loved One United StatesJapan April 16, 2014

Music film[]

Title Release date
1st Godsend Rondo United States November 11, 2011

Bibliography[]

Piano book[]

Title Release date
1st Hands : solo piano (2003)[30] United States 2003
2nd All in the Silence (2012)[31] United States September 26, 2012

Credit works[]

Album[]

Year Title Artist Credit
2016 Free Yourself Hiroko Tsuji (musician) Executive produce[32]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Nominated Work Category Result
2010 International Songwriting Competition[14] "Tree" Instrumental Won
2012 International Songwriting Competition[15][33] "Externalnet" Instrumental Nominated
"Tree" Instrumental Won
2013 International Songwriting Competition[33] "Tree" Instrumental Nominated
2014 International Songwriting Competition[15][33] "Oath Path" Instrumental Won
"Addicted" Instrumental Nominated
"Tree" Instrumental Nominated
2015 Hollywood Music in Media Awards[26] "Tree" World Nominated
2015 Global Music Awards[27] "Addicted" Composition Won
"Loved One" Album Won
2016 American Songwriting Awards[34] "Oath Path" Instrumental Nominated
"Tree" World Nominated
2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards[35] "Addicted" Jazz Nominated
2017 Accolade Global Film Competition[36] "Godsend Rondo" Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays Won
2017 Best Shorts Competition[37] "Godsend Rondo" Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays Won
2017 Los Angeles Film Awards[38] "Godsend Rondo" Music Video Won
2017 Festigious International Film Festival[39] "Godsend Rondo" Music Video Won
2017 Top Shorts Film Festival[40] "Godsend Rondo" Music Video Won
2017 New York Film Awards[41] "Godsend Rondo" Music Video Won
2017 Hollywood Music in Media Awards[42] "Little Tokyo Poetry" Instrumental Nominated
2017 Actors Awards Los Angeles[43] "Godsend Rondo" Music Video Won

Honorary titles[]

  • 2014 Title "Knight" and "Maestro". Honored by Monsignor Luigi Casolini, awarded to the Knights of the Order of St. Sylvester.[23]
  • 2016 Title "Knight". Honored by Don. Basilio Cali, awarded to the Order of Knights of Malta.[44]
  • 2016 Title "Count". Honored by H.R. & I.H. Grand Prince Hans Máximo Cabrera Lochaber Rurikovich, awarded to the Order of Rurik dynasty.[45][46]
  • 2017 Title "Knight Commander". Honored by Michele Maria Biallo, awarded to the Noble Order of Saint George of Rougemont (Confrèrie de Rougemont).[47]
  • 2018 Title "Grand Cross". Honored by Brazilian government, awarded to the Order of Merit of Education and Integration.[48][29]

References[]

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  2. ^ "Kento Masuda Attends the Grammys". New Theory. February 1, 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "JaME Interview with Kento Masuda". JaME Entertainment. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
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  7. ^ "Galerie ATTA Partners". Galerie ATTA. Archived from the original on 2013-02-14. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
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  10. ^ "Charles Eller Studios News". Charles Eller Studios. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  11. ^ "Kento Masuda Catalog on MTV". MTV. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  12. ^ "Kento Masuda Catalog on NME". NME Magazine. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  13. ^ "Kento Masuda Catalog on BBC Music". BBC Music. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
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  15. ^ Jump up to: a b c "International Songwriting Competition, Winners 2012". Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
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  17. ^ "Festigious Interview". Top Shorts Film Awards. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
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  20. ^ "PBLCTY, Inc. The Source & Social Network for Everything Celebrity". PBLCTY, Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-08-03. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  21. ^ "Miami News & Notes 2014". Mix Magazine. Retrieved 2014-09-24.
  22. ^ "Gary Vandy Audio Production, Inc". Gary Vandy Audio Production, Inc. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b "Nuovi Associati". Sancti Silvestri Societas. Archived from the original on 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  24. ^ "MasterCard Red Carpet". MasterCard. Archived from the original on 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  25. ^ "Grammy Weekend Party". contactmusic. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
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  28. ^ ""Music, Performance & Humanitarian" Award". AFI World Peace Initiative. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
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  30. ^ Hands : solo piano. OCLC. OCLC 72671685. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  31. ^ "Kento Masuda Sheet Music". Sheet Music Plus.com. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  32. ^ "Campfire". CAMPFIRE. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b c "International Songwriting Competition, semi-finalists 2012". Songwriting Competition. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  34. ^ "American Songwriting Awards". American Songwriting Awards. Archived from the original on 2016-07-16. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  35. ^ "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominees". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
  36. ^ "Accolade Global Film Competition". Accolade Global Film Competition. Retrieved 2017-03-09.
  37. ^ "Best Shorts Competition". Best Shorts Competition. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  38. ^ "Los Angeles Film Awards Winners". Los Angeles Film Awards. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  39. ^ "Festigious International Film Festival Winners". Festigious International Film Festival. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
  40. ^ "Top Shorts Film Awards Winners". Top Shorts Film Awards. Retrieved 2017-06-04.
  41. ^ "New York Film Awards Winners". New York Film Awards. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  42. ^ "Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2017". Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  43. ^ "Actors Awards Los Angeles Winners". Actors Awards Los Angeles. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  44. ^ "Knights of Malta". Knights of Malta. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
  45. ^ "Noble of the house". Rurikovichdynasty.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-12. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  46. ^ "Rurikovich family". Unionpedia Spain. Retrieved 2017-09-20.
  47. ^ "Order of St.Georges". Order of St. Georges. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  48. ^ "Condecorações". sbei.org.br. Retrieved 2018-08-26.

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