Clive Bell

Clive Bell (born 1950) is a British musician, composer and music journalist specialising in the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute), khene (Lao mouth-organ) and other Asian wind instruments.

Based in London, he is internationally recognised for his film and video game soundtrack work, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2, The Hobbit trilogy, and Ghost of Tsushima.

Bell is an improviser, collaborating with leading figures in experimental and avant-garde music, and writes regularly for The Wire magazine.

Early life and training

Bell studied shakuhachi in Tokyo for two years with the master Kohachiro Miyata (1924–2014), one of the most respected shakuhachi performers and composers of the 20th century. He also received instruction from Yamaguchi Gorō (1933–1999), a Living National Treasure and one of Japan's most revered shakuhachi masters, as well as Okamoto Chikugai (1915–2000) and Fujii Kunie.

Bell's shakuhachi playing has been featured in live sessions on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction and In Tune. Both soundtracks were recorded at Abbey Road Studios. The score was composed by Ilan Eshkeri and Shigeru Umebayashi and Bell recorded at multiple prestigious London studios including Abbey Road Studios, AIR Studios and RAK Studios.

Discography Solo albums

Kurokami (1988) Shakuhachi: The Japanese Flute (ARC Music, 1994; reissued 2005) Asakusa Follies (Cusp Editions, 2017) Shakuhachi for Latin Lovers (2020)

Duo and collaborative albums

Sleep It Off (2002) – with Mike Adcock Acoustic Dream (2008) Betamax vs Clive Bell (2021)

Other work

British Council Beijing project

In 2005, Bell participated in the British Council's "Sound & The City" project in Beijing, collaborating with Brian Eno, David Toop and Peter Cusack.

Live soundtracks

In September 2013, Bell and Sylvia Hallett performed a live soundtrack at the BFI for Yasujirō Ozu's 1930 comedy gangster film Walk Cheerfully.

Touring

Bell toured for over a decade with Jah Wobble, including performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and the Glastonbury Festival. He has also toured with UK-based Japanese drumming group Taiko Meantime, and performs with koto and shamisen players in the Japanese classical repertoire.