Bill Cahn, a founding member of the NEXUS percussion quintet (1971 to present) and former Principal Percussionist in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (1968 to 1995), returned to Japan for his sixth residency at the Showa Music Academy near Tokyo. Bill first visited the Showa Academy in 1998 sharing his musical experiences with the school’s collegiate percussion students. In 2006 the music college moved from its aged facility in Atsugi to a newly constructed state-of-the-art campus in Shin-Yurigaoka, a suburb of Tokyo. This was Bill’s first visit to the new facility which is furnished with a large opera concert hall, two recital halls, three large ensemble rehearsal rooms, opera facilities and roomy studios and practice areas.

The residency activities included:
• Creative Music Making workshop
• private lessons for the school’s percussion students,
• ensemble coaching, and
• a recital performance with the school’s percussion students

The performance included Bill’s compositions for percussion instruments played by the Showa Percussion Ensemble:
“Time Traveler” featuring a student marimba soloist with four percussionists
“Where Sirens Dwell” for trumpet and vibraphone (Japan premiere)
“Kebjar-Bali”, based on the music of Balinese gamelan ensembles with Bill as soloist on an array of gongs and bells.

Bill Cahn’s residency at the the Showa Academy marked his second visit to Japan in 2007. In January he toured with clarinet virtuoso Richard Stoltzman, Jazz bassist Eddie Gomez, pianist Peter John Stoltzman, and marimba soloist Mika Yoshida giving performances in Amakusa, Kumamoto and Fukuoka.

(Bill Cahn is affiliated with Pearl Drums/Adams Musical Instruments, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Inc.)

For More Information, Contact: Bill Cahn
8740 Wesley Road, Bloomfield, New York 14469
Tel./Fax: (585) 582-2508 www.nexuspercussion.com