Masaaki Hiyama
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...

 jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...

 drummer that participated in some of Japan's more well known fusion bands. He is a former member of Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

.

Biography

1979: Joined a fusion group called “Guitarist Creek”, they participated in Cross-Wind (A large fusion concert also known as East-West). Masaaki met Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

 at this time. They became good friends. He also met Hidehiko Matsumoto and his group of participants. As well as, jazz vocalist, Henri Kanno, Mikio Masuda jazz pianist and jazz groups to participate in activities in this field.

In 1990, Tetsuo Sakurai
Tetsuo Sakurai
is a Japanese bassist. To date, he has released a total of 37 albums as a member of Casiopea and Jimsaku and solo artist, and has also made 3 bass instructional videos.-History:Tetsuo Sakurai started playing bass when he was 13 years old....

 Akira Jimbo
Akira Jimbo
is a Japanese freelance jazz fusion drummer who is famous for his drumming independence and fusion of electronic drum technology and acoustic drums. Aside from his solo work, he is also the drummer in the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea and has participated in various side projects with other...

 left Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

 for their separate career in Jimsaku
Jimsaku
Jimsaku was a drums and bass duo formed by Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai in 1990, after they left the Japanese jazz/fusion band Casiopea. They released 10 albums and one best of collection, and disbanded in 1998.-Albums:* Jimsaku * 45°C...

. Yoshihiro Naruse joined Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

 at this time and Masaaki Hiyama was called to join the group as well because they were missing a drummer. Being a long-time friend of Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

, he accepted the offer and took the drummer seat. Casiopea
Casiopea
, named as a misspelling of the constellation Cassiopeia, was a Japanese jazz fusion band that was formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of...

were amazed that Masaaki was able to match the skill of Akira Jimbo and perform their songs.

In August 1992, Masaaki resigned from Casiopea due to health issues because of his smoking habit. At the time of his ill health, drumming was considered a risky decision, so he decided to stop until he recuperated. Masaaki recorded a total of four albums with Casiopea.

After Casiopea

After recuperating, he returned to the field of jazz. He was in good health, the doctors were thrilled by his recovery and considered him a very strong fighter. The members of Casiopea were glad when they heard he had recovered successfully. Sadly, he was not accepted back into Casiopea because they had already found a replacement drummer, so he decided to look elsewhere to put his talents to use. He joined a music school that is dedicated to teaching youth the skills they need for a music career.

Today, Masaaki participates in both rock and jazz fields in his drum project along with band members. He still maintains a very good relationship with Casiopea, especially Yoshihiro Naruse. Masaaki’s Fans consider him to have a sweet and humble personality. Hiyama will always be remembered for his contributions. His nickname is “the godfather” as given to him by Yoshihiro Naruse.

External links

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