The unit “AGA-SHIO” was formed in 2009 by shamisen player Hiromitsu Agatsuma and pianist Satoru Shionoya. Agatsuma focuses on surpassing the traditional boundaries of the shamisen and tapping into its vast potential, and Shionya is an exceptional pianist with experience in various genres such as jazz, pop and classical music. They have succeeded in combining their Japanese traditions and influences with various musical genres and infusing the compositions with their own style. Both the intensity and the tranquility of their music are intensely moving. With their overlapping individuality they have opened up new horizons in the music world.Their visit to Egypt is part of their world wide tour in 2010

Agatsuma started Tsugaru-Shamisen when he was six years old. He won numerous music competitions in his youth. He was always passionate to push his boundaries and often collaborated with jazz and rock musicians. His 1st and 6th albums won the prestigious "Japan Gold Disk Award”. He has actively collaborated with musicians abroad, such as Marcus Miller and Herbie Hancock to name a few. He tirelessly pursues both the "Tradition and Innovation” of the Tsugaru-Shamisen through his performances.

 ＜Official Website＞ http://agatsuma.tv/                                                             

He studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he majored in composition. While still in university, he became a core member of Japanese salsa group “Orquesta de la Luz”, which won the United Nations Peace Medal in ’93 and was a U.S. Grammy Award nominee in ’95. He released his first solo album in 1993 and 11 original albums up to the present. His activities and collaborators are diverse; from performing classical music concerts such as the Mozart Piano Concerto, to collaborating with internationally renowned musicians such as Carlos Santana and Tito Puente and numerous J-pop musicians; to leading a big band at the World Expo Aichi 2005.