Akira Jimbo

, is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer, best known as the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea in 3 separate stints (1980-1989, 1997-2006 and 2012-2022). Aside from his work with Casiopea, Jimbo has also participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.

Background Akira Jimbo began drumming at the age of 18 when he joined the Keio University Light Music Society Big Band alongside future T-Square's keyboardist Hirotaka Izumi. He became a member of Casiopea in 1980. During his solo career, he formed Jimsaku, a duo consisting of himself and Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. He has also worked with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square in the drum duo Synchronized DNA.

Jimbo uses a hybrid drumming style, combining elements of acoustic and electronic percussion, which is best demonstrated in his drum videos and at his drum clinics. By using the DTX drum triggering system, he is able to play fully orchestrated songs without a backing track. Prior to implementing that, his orchestrations had been arranged by American composer Gary Stockdale. Jimbo has assisted in the design of K Custom Hybrid Series of cymbals by Zildjian. His drum hero is Steve Gadd.

In 1999, he won second place in the British drum magazine RHYTHM for most popular drummer. In June 2000, he became the first Asian drummer to be featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine. He appeared in the Modern Drummers Festival in 2000.

Drum setup

One unique aspect of Jimbo's drumming is the setup of his drums. Using acoustic drums together with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create a live performance with an array of different sounds. Apart from endorsing Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals, he also endorses Vic Firth drumsticks.

MIDI Drum Trigger System Jimbo has claimed that every sound is triggered by himself as part of a live performance, which was true in the past, due to the limitations of the trigger system technology. As his career has progressed, however, he now uses various sequencing programs during some portions of his performances, such as during intense drum solos or particularly difficult arrangements.

Main Drum Kit Setup Acoustic Drums Yamaha WSD13AJ (13"×7") Beech Custom Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum Yamaha YD9000AJ (8",10",12",14",16",22") Recording Custom Akira Jimbo debut 30th Anniversary Kit

Cymbals Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Series 13.25" Hi-Hat 17" Crash 19" Trash Smash 19" China 21" Ride 9" Splash 13" Trash Splash/15" Trash Crash (stack)

Electronic Drum Trigger Yamaha DTX900

Past Equipment Drum Sets 1980 – YD9000R 1983 to 1986 – Simmons SDSV 1990 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom 1992 – Maple Custom 1995 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom 1997 – Beech Custom 2001 – Beech Custom Absolute 2004 – Oak Custom Absolute 2005 – Oak Custom Akira Jimbo 25th anniversary 2010 – YD9000AJ Akira Jimbo 30th anniversary

Signature Snare Drums 1992 – MSD13AJ Maple 7ply Power Hoop (Limited) 1997 – WSD13AJ Beech 8ply Wood Hoop 2004 – NSD13AJ Oak 6ply Wood Hoop (Limited) 2012 – BSD1450AJ Old Birch 6ply Steel Hoop (Limited)

Discography Studio Albums - Solo Cover albums Year Albums 2012-01-14 Jimbo de Cover 2013-01-09 Jimbo de Cover 2 2014-01-08 Jimbo de Cover 3 2015-01-07 Jimbo de CTI 2016-01-01 Jimbo de Jimbo 80's

Collaborations Year Albums 1994 Navel - as Jimsaku, with Tetsuo Sakurai 2000 Intelligent Jazz #1 - with Kay Nakayama

Compilations Year Albums 1994-06-25 Beach Picnics Vol.1 Instrumental 2010-02-10 Jimbest

Unit albums Year Albums CASIOPEA 1980 Thunder Live Make Up City 1981 Eyes of the Mind Cross Point 1982 Mint Jams Four by Four 1983 Photographs Jive Jive 1984 The Soundgraphy Down Upbeat 1985 Halle Casiopea Live 1986 Sun Sun 1987 Casiopea Perfect Live II Platinum 1988 Euphony Casiopea World Live '88 Shambara 1989 Shambara Jimsaku 1990 Jimsaku 1991 45 °C 1992 Jade Viva! 1993 100% Wind Loves Us 1994 Navel 1995 Blaze of Passion Best Selection 1996 Dispensation 1997 Mega db Casiopea Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band 1997 Light and Shadows Live in Yokohama 1998 Be II ~September~ 1999 Material III ~My Favourite~ Intelligent JAZZ 2000 20th(live) Bitter Sweet IV ~La Rumba~ Intellijent Jazz #1 2001 Main Gate V ~La Noche Tropical~ ヒダじんぼ 2002 Inspire VI ~En Vivo~ Live 2002 (DVD) SkyandGround Bridge JB Project 2003 Places VII ~Spain~Brombo! 2004 Marble Live and More VII ~The Covers~ Stevie is wonderful Brombo! 2 Synchronized DNA (DVDs) 2005 Gig25 Signal IX ~Mas Tropical!~ Jazz Only Lives Twice Double Drum Performance Live Tour 2005 Pyramid 2005 Pyramid 2006 Telepath X ~Swing con Clave~ 10th Anniversary Live (DVD) Stevie is wonderful More Double Drum Performance 2 2007 XI ~Let's Groove~ Are You Synchronized? 2008 XII ~The Originals~ 2009 XII ~Fantasy~ 2010 XIII ~Liberty City~ 2011 Pyramid3

Drums Lesson Series Year Title Media 1992 Metamorphosis VHS 1995 Pulse VHS 1997 Independence VHS 1999 Evolution VHS 2003 Wasabi DVD 2003 Fujiyama DVD 2004 Solo Drum Performance ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD 2005 Solo Drum Performance 2 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD 2006 Solo Drum Performance 3 ~One Man Orchestra~ DVD 2007 Solo Drum Performance 4 ~神保彰の作り方~ DVD 2008 Solo Drum Performance 5 ~Circuit Exercises~ DVD 2009 Solo Drum Performance 6 ~Offset Exercises~ DVD 2010 Solo Drum Performance 7 ~Shadow Exercises~ DVD 2011 Solo Drum Performance 8 ~Dotted Exercises~ DVD