{"id":5740,"date":"2014-07-09T19:16:43","date_gmt":"2014-07-09T17:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mandoisland.com\/?p=5740"},"modified":"2017-08-31T14:12:11","modified_gmt":"2017-08-31T12:12:11","slug":"akira-otsuka-solo-mandolin-recital-bluegrass-45-bluegrass-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mandoisland.com\/?p=5740","title":{"rendered":"Akira Otsuka Solo Mandolin Recital – Bluegrass 45 – Bluegrass in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have just found the following video in the youtube channel of WAMU<\/strong><\/a>, a complete Open Mic show of two hours, with performances by Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass<\/strong>, Gold Heart<\/strong> and Akira Otsuka<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Inspired by this video I had to search around for more information about Akira Otsuka<\/strong>, his band Bluegrass 45<\/strong>, John Duffey<\/strong> and Bluegrass in Japan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The program of the Open Mic Show starts with a highlight for mandolin players – Akiro Otsuka<\/strong> plays a set of solo pieces on his mandolin. Most of the pieces can be found on his new CD First Tear<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Akira Otsuka<\/strong> is a Japanese mandolin player who played in a Japanese Bluegrass band named Bluegrass 45<\/strong>. This band was invited to the USA in the 1970s and played several concerts. Rebel Records produced several records with Bluegrass 45. Akira Otsuka decided to come back to the USA in the 1970s and has stayed there until today. He has played with many musicians – you can find more information on his website (see below).<\/p>\n

Akiro played a beautiful set of mandolin solos on his old Gibson mandolin that had previously been owned by John Duffey.<\/p>\n

Open Mic: LIVE from WAMU, 6\/20\/2014 <\/span><\/h4>\n

On June 20, WAMU’s Bluegrass Country presented a special live edition of Open Mic featuring performances from Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, Gold Heart, and Akira Otsuka.<\/p>\n