“伝統と革新”を追及し続ける津軽三味線プレイヤー
6歳より津軽三味線を始め、幼少期より数々の津軽三味線大会で優勝を重ね、純邦楽界で高い評価を受ける。ジャズやロック等ジャンルを超えたセッションで注目を集め、2001年に『AGATSUMA』でメジャーデビューを果たす。2ndアルバム『BEAMS〜AGATSUMAII』はDomo Recordsより全米リリース。2005年にはEUツアーも行い、6thアルバム『○－エン－』で2度目の日本ゴールドディスク大賞を受賞。海外で評価の高い日本人アーティストを集結させたプロデュースイベントを立ち上げる。日本全国の小学校において日本の伝統音楽の魅力を伝える授業を行っており、次世代への文化伝承にも力を注いでいる。2014年には日本コロムビア移籍第１弾アルバム『GEN−源−』を発売。
~A Tsugaru-jamisen Player Who Continues to Pursue Tradition and Innovation~
A highly esteemed exponent of traditional Japanese music, Hiromitsu Agatsuma began studying the Tsugaru-jamisen at the age of six, and as a youngster won numerous first prizes at various Tsugaru-jamisen competitions throughout the country.
He has drawn widespread attention by playing with musicians in genres such as jazz and rock. In 2001, he released his major debut album AGATSUMA. This was followed up the next year by a second album BEAMS~AGATSUMA 2, which was subsequently released in the United States by Domo Records. In 2005, he embarked on a European tour, while ○－En－, his sixth album released in 2006, won him his second "Traditional Japanese Music Album of the Year" award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.
Agatsuma has launched a production event bringing together Japanese artists who are highly evaluated overseas. He is also focusing on passing down culture and tradition to the next generation by personally teaching classes that expose elementary school children across the nation to the attractions of traditional Japanese music. In 2014, he released GEN, his first album since transferring to Nippon Columbia.
