Casiopea

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Template:Short description Template:About Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox musical artist

Template:Nihongo is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai, drummer Tohru "Rika" Suzuki, and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki (ja) replaced Koike and Suzuki respectively. They recorded their debut album Casiopea (1979) with guest appearances by American jazz musicians Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, and David Sanborn. In 1980, drummer Akira Jimbo joined the band. Casiopea has released over 40 albums in Japan and around the world.<ref name="gonsiopea">{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=CASIOPEA – Discography|script-title=ko:카시오페아 – 앨범|url=http://gonsiopea.com/artist/?a_idx=3%7Caccess-date=2024-06-10%7Cwebsite=GONSIOPEA}}</ref>

Starting from 2012, they formed Casiopea 3rd as a spin-off from the original, featuring Kiyomi Otaka on keyboards and returning members, Issei Noro, Akira Jimbo, and Yoshihiro Naruse.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/%7Ctitle=CASIOPEA official web|date=20 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513030054/http://www.casiopea.co.jp/%7Carchive-date=13 May 2012}}</ref>

On July 1, 2022, the band announced that Yoshinori Imai would be their new drummer after Akira Jimbo left Casiopea 3rd, and they would be rebranded as Casiopea-P4.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp%7Ctitle=Top of casiopea web|date=1 July 2022|website=CASIOPEA Official Web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702005720/http://www.casiopea.co.jp/%7Carchive-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>

On December 1, 2024 the band announced that Kiyomi Otaka would be leaving.<ref name="oshirase" /> Otaka did her last performance with the band on December 15, this performance was later broadcast on television by Japanese pay television channel WOWOW.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=CASIOPEA-P4 TOUR 2024 "RIGHT NOW" Kiyomi FINAL |url=https://www.wowow.co.jp/detail/203603 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=WOWOW |language=ja-jp}}</ref>

On February 19, 2025 the band announced that Jun Abe would be succeeding Kiyomi Otaka as their keyboardist and that they were being rebranded as Casiopea, their original name.<ref name="spna20250220"/>

History

Casiopea 1st (1976–1989)

One of the band's earliest appearances was at Yamaha's amateur band contest "EastWest '76" (ja), featuring Issei Noro, Tetsuo Sakurai, Hidehiko Koike, and Tohru "Rika" Suzuki. This was Casiopea's original formation, and both Koike and Suzuki left the band due to being busy with other projects at the time (Suzuki joining Prism,<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=PRISM PROFILE|url=https://prismjapan.com/prism-profile/%7Curl-status=live%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828124309/http://prismjapan.com/prism-profile/%7Carchive-date=2018-08-28%7Caccess-date=2024-05-23%7Cwebsite=PRISM official site|language=ja}}</ref> and Koike in other bands). They finally got their first permanent formation when Takashi Sasaki replaced Suzuki on Drums and Minoru Mukaiya replaced Koike on Keyboards in 1977.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=CASIOPEA – The long-awaited high-resolution version of 18 of the first albums from the Alfa era! Please take a look at the precious liner|script-title=ja:CASIOPEA アルファ在籍時の初期アルバム18作の待望のハイレゾ化!!貴重なライナーをご覧いただけます|url=https://www.110107.com/s/oto/page/casiopea_haishin%7Caccess-date=2024-06-15%7Cwebsite=OTONANO powered by Sony Music Direct (Japan) Inc.|language=ja}}</ref> They would re-appear in the "YAMAHA EastWest '77" contest at this time, and they later made their official live debut in January 1978.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.loft-prj.co.jp/loftarchives/shimokitazawa/1978/01/ |title=January 1978 – Shimo Kitazawa Loft |script-title=ja:1978年1月-下北沢ロフト |website=Loft Archives |script-website=ja:ロフトアーカイブス |access-date=2024-06-20 |language=ja}}</ref> Around this time, musicians like Prism guitarist Akira Wada, keyboardist Jun Fukamachi, guitarist Kenji Omura and others in the Japanese Fusion scene frequently appeared with the band as supporting members/special guests in some of their live performances (with their appearances ranging from 1977 to 1979, and 1980 for some).<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://sound.jp/musicmedia/group-casiopea.html |title=GROUP * CASIOPEA |website=sound.jp |access-date=2024-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://bootleg-rainbow.jimdo.com/%E3%82%AB%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AA%E3%83%9A%E3%82%A2-casiopea/ |title=Casiopea |script-title=ja:カシオペア |website=JP bootleg-rainbow |access-date=2024-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www3.hp-ez.com/hp/casi-sound-sources/ |title=Casiopea Sound Sources History |website=www3.hp-ez.com |access-date=2024-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref> The first label to sign them was Alfa Records, which released their album Casiopea, which was released in May 1979, featuring the Brecker brothers and David Sanborn as the brass section.<ref>{{#invoke:cite|AV media notes|subject=Casiopea |title=Casiopea |date=1979-05-25 |type=Vinyl |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/10499687-Casiopea-Casiopea |access-date=2024-06-16 |publisher=Alfa |via=Discogs }}</ref> They would also release the album Super Flight later that same year.<ref name="superflight">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/superflight.html%7Ctitle=Super Flight|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> After the end of the Super Flight tour in January 1980, Sasaki left the band and Akira Jimbo would fill the drummer seat in the following month.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|subject=CASIOPEA |title=Act-One (Live History) |url=https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/casiopea/act-one-live-history(movie) |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=JazzMusicArchives.com}}</ref> "Galactic Funk" first appeared on Cross Point (1981) with ten different versions recorded both live and in studio.<ref name="crosspoint">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/crosspoint.html%7Ctitle=CROSS POINT|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> The album Eyes of the Mind was released in 1981,<ref name="eyesofthemind">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/eyesofthemind.html%7Ctitle=Eyes Of The Mind|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> followed by the release of Mint Jams (1982),<ref name="mintjams">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/mintjams.html%7Ctitle=Mint Jams|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> and 4x4, which was recorded with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East, and Don Grusin.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> The band's first overseas concert was in the United Kingdom in 1983,<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|subject=CASIOPEA |title=Live In London 1983 |url=https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/casiopea/live-in-london-1983(movie) |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=JazzMusicArchives.com}}</ref> they since toured in Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia respectively.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|AV media|subject=Casiopea |date=2000-06-14 |title=20th DVD Extra Content: Casiopea Photo History |medium=DVD |publisher=Pioneer LDC |id=PIBL-1001}}</ref> In 1987, Casiopea signed to Polydor.<ref name="platinum">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/platinum.html%7Ctitle=PLATINUM%7Caccess-date=2024-02-09%7Cwork=CD%7Cpublisher=CASIOPEA%7Clanguage=ja}}</ref> In 1989, Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai, who played drums and bass, respectively, as part of the first "Classic Lineup" of Casiopea, split and recruited other musicians, including city pop singers Yurie Kokubu (ja) and Kaoru Akimoto (ja), to form Shambara (ja) the same year.<ref name="shambara">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://tetsuosakurai.com/discography/shambara%7Ctitle=Shambara%7Cwork=Discography%7Cpublisher=Tetsuo Sakurai|access-date=2024-02-09|language=ja}}</ref> The band dissolved after releasing one album, and the two formed the duo Jimsaku in 1990.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/artist/artist.aspx?artist=46133 |title=JIMSAKU |publisher=King Records |access-date=2024-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref>

Casiopea 2nd (1990–2006)

With only Issei Noro and Minoru Mukaiya remaining from the original Casiopea lineup, bassist Yoshihiro Naruse replaced Sakurai and drummer Masaaki Hiyama replaced Jimbo. Casiopea then signed to Pioneer.<ref name="theparty">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/theparty.html%7Ctitle=THE PARTY|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> In August 1992, Hiyama left the band due to health issues, and drummer Noriaki Kumagai replaced him later that year, first appearing in the album Dramatic in 1993, and the band returned to the Alfa label that year,<ref name="dramatic">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/dramatic.html%7Ctitle=DRAMATIC%7Caccess-date=2024-02-09%7Cwork=CD%7Cpublisher=CASIOPEA%7Clanguage=ja}}</ref> then to Pony Canyon.<ref name="asiandreamer">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/asiandreamer.html%7Ctitle=Asian Dreamer|access-date=2024-02-09|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> In 1997, Jimbo returned as a part-time member, recording more albums and writing compositions. This would become Casiopea's longest running line-up in the band's history (guitarist Issei Noro, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya, and bassist Yoshihiro Naruse, with drummers Masaaki Hiyama from 1990 to 1992, Noriaki Kumagai from 1993 to 1996, and the returning Akira Jimbo from 1997 to 2006).

In 2000, the band again signed to Pioneer, who would release their 20th Anniversary album (featuring Noro, Mukaiya, Jimbo and Naruse, with former members consisting of Kumagai, Koike, and Sakurai).<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|subject=CASIOPEA |title=20th Anniversary Live |url=https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/casiopea/20th-anniversary-live(live) |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=JazzMusicArchives.com}}</ref> Four years later Pioneer changed its name to Geneon Entertainment.<ref name="marble">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/marble.html%7Ctitle=MARBLE%7Caccess-date=2024-02-09%7Cwork=CD%7Cpublisher=CASIOPEA%7Clanguage=ja}}</ref> On August 1, 2006, Issei Noro, the group's leader, decided to freeze all activities of the band until further notice.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/news.html%7Ctitle=Casiopea Web News|date=August 1, 2006|website=CASIOPEA Official Web|access-date=September 1, 2019|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808001620/https://casiopea.co.jp/news.html}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|date=2006-08-01|title=Casiopea|url=http://jazzfusion.com/info/casiopeakyuushi.htm|access-date=2025-03-07|website=CyberFusion|language=ja}}</ref>

Hiatus (2006–2012)

In 2008, Issei Noro formed the fusion band Inspirits.<ref name="issei_noro_profile">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.isseinoro.com/profile.html%7Ctitle=Profile of Issei Noro Web BINDsite|website=Issei Noro Official Web|access-date=2024-02-08|language=ja}}</ref>

In January 2009, Minoru Mukaiya collaborated with Super Bell"Z in the album Tetsudou Seminar Ongakuhen, based on Ongakukan's Tetsudou Seminar video game series.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=Tetsudou Seminar Ongakuhen|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/15878%7Caccess-date=2024-06-15%7Cwebsite=VGMdb}}</ref>

On May 27, 2009, a limited-edition box set, Legend of Casiopea, was released to commemorate the band's thirtieth anniversary.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|subject=CASIOPEA |title=Legend of Casiopea |url=https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/casiopea/legend-of-casiopea(compilation) |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=JazzMusicArchives.com}}</ref>

Casiopea 3rd (2012–2022)

File:Casiopea in Indonesia 2015.jpg
Casiopea 3rd at the 21st Economics Jazz in Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia (10 October 2015)

On April 20, 2012, the formation of Casiopea 3rd was announced with Kiyomi Otaka joining on keyboards, replacing Minoru Mukaiya, who led his own music production team Mukaiya Club.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|magazine|last=Mukaiya |first=Minoru |date=November 2011 |url=https://www.ipsj.or.jp/magazine/9faeag000000pfzm-att/IPSJ-MGN521102.pdf |title=Mukaiya Club's challenge |script-title=ja:向谷倶楽部の挑戦 |magazine=IPSJ |volume=52 |issue=11 |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=ja}}</ref>

Throughout the 2010s, Casiopea 3rd would resume album releases, with both Casiopea 3rd and Inspirits holding a joint concert as a result of having a common bandleader in Issei Noro.<ref name="issei_noro_album">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.isseinoro.com/album.html%7Ctitle=album of Issei Noro Web BINDsite|website=Issei Noro Official Web|access-date=2024-02-08|language=ja}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 crisis, Casiopea 3rd, Inspirits, and AmaKha released a song titled A·RI·GA·TO (Appreciation), thanking all those on the frontlines.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|AV media|subject1=Issei Noro |subject2=Yoshihiro Naruse |subject3=Kiyomi Otaka |subject4=Akira Jimbo |subject5=Kent Ogiya |subject6=Yuji Yajima |subject7=Ryo Hayashi |subject8=Kawori Mishina |title=ARIGATO / CASIOPEA 3rd & INSPIRITS & AmaKha |script-title=ja:「A・RI・GA・TO」CASIOPEA 3rd & INSPIRITS & AmaKha |date=2020-05-23 |type=Music video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkZYDoSpf5c |access-date=2024-03-05 |publisher=HATS |via=YouTube }}</ref>

On February 10, 2022, Akira Jimbo announced he would be leaving Casiopea 3rd. His final appearance with Casiopea 3rd was during the April and May 2022 Billboard Tour.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|magazine|title=Akira Jimbo announces his graduation from CASIOPEA 3rd at the Billboard concert in May|script-title=ja:神保 彰が5月のビルボード公演をもってCASIOPEA 3rd卒業を発表|url=https://drumsmagazine.jp/news/jimbo-aj-final/%7Cmagazine=Rhythm & Drums Magazine|date=2022-02-10|access-date=2024-01-25|language=ja}}</ref>

Casiopea-P4 (2022–2025)

On July 1, 2022, Issei Noro announced on the band's website that Yoshinori Imai would be the new drummer, and the band would rebrand to Casiopea-P4.<ref name="casiopea-p4">{{#invoke:Cite|magazine|title=Casiopea announces the launch of their fourth series, CASIOPEA-P4! The drummer is Yoshinori Imai!|script-title=ja:カシオペアが第4期となるCASIOPEA-P4の始動を発表！ドラムは今井義頼!!|url=https://drumsmagazine.jp/news/casiopea-p4/%7Cmagazine=Rhythm & Drums Magazine|date=2022-07-01|access-date=2022-07-23|language=ja}}</ref> The recording sessions for their first Casiopea-P4 album, New Topics, started just weeks after the rebrand.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite tweet|main|user=Casiopea_staff|number=1550483228968222720|title=The recording has started!|script-title=ja:レコーディングが始まりました！和気あいあいで楽しくやっています！サウンドにも表れています、期待してくださいね！発売などの詳細はもう少しお待ち下さい。|date=2022-07-22|access-date=2024-01-25|language=ja}}</ref> They released another album in 2024 named Right Now.<ref name="rightnow">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/cd/rightnow.html%7Ctitle=RIGHT NOW|access-date=2024-06-18|work=CD|publisher=CASIOPEA|language=ja}}</ref> In December 2024, Kiyomi Otaka announced that she would graduate from the band, after 12 years as Casiopea's keyboardist.<ref name="oshirase">{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=Information of casiopea web |script-title=ja:ご報告 of casiopea web |url=https://www.casiopea.co.jp/news/oshirase.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=casiopea web |language=ja-JP}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|date=2024-12-01 |url=https://sportsbull.jp/p/1943352/ |title=Kiyomi Otaka announces departure from Casiopea |script-title=ja:大高清美、カシオペア脱退を発表 |access-date=2024-12-03 |publisher=Sports Bull |language=ja}}</ref>

Casiopea (2025–present)

On February 19, 2025, the band announced on their website that they were being rebranded as Casiopea. They also announced that Jun Abe would be replacing Kiyomi Otaka as the band's keyboardist.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite tweet|main|number=1892112142746386891|user=Casiopea_staff|title=Information has been released at 3 p.m. today!|script-title=ja:本日、15時の情報解禁となりました!!【新・キーボーディスト・安部潤 加入】 新メンバーとして、作編曲家、サウンドプロデューサー、演奏家として活躍する安部潤（キーボード）が加入。デビューは５月の東京、大阪、横浜のビルボードツアーで初お披露目となります。進化するCASIOPEAをぜひその目でご覧ください！|access-date=2025-02-20|date=2025-02-19|language=ja}}</ref><ref name="spna20250220">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2025/02/20/kiji/20250220s00041000099000c.html |title=46th year of debut, Jun Abe joins Issei Noro's band "Casiopea". "I've admired this band since I was a teenager... I'm so happy" |script-title=ja:デビュー46年　野呂一生らのバンド「カシオペア」に安部潤が加入「10代の頃から憧れのバンド…嬉しい」 |website=SponichiAnnex |date=2025-02-20 |access-date=2025-02-20 |language=ja}}</ref>

Offshoot bands

Shambara/Jimsaku/Katsushika Trio

In 1989, Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai formed another group, Shambara, with Kaoru Akimoto and Yurie Kokubu on Vocals, Ryo Kunihiko on keyboards, and Nozomi Furukawa on Guitar. Shambara released one self titled album and split the same year.<ref name="shambara"/> Jimbo and Sakurai were then given the option of returning to Casiopea, but ultimately decided to continue as the drum and bass duo, Jimsaku. Over the course of the 90s, Jimsaku released 9 Studio Albums and one Live. Akira Jimbo returned to Casiopea in 1997, and thus Jimsaku disbanded.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://gonsiopea.com/artist/?a_idx=8 |title=JIMSAKU – Discography |publisher=Gonsiopea |access-date=May 18, 2024}}</ref>

Jimsaku reunited for a new album in 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|AV media notes|subject=Jimsaku |title=Jimsaku Beyond |date=2021-07-28 |type=CD |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/21695344-Jimsaku-Jimsaku-Beyond |access-date=2024-06-22 |publisher=King Records |via=Discogs }}</ref> Just a few months later, Keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya, who had played with Jimsaku previously within Casiopea, joined them and formed the "Katsushika Trio" in 2021. This configuration of the band has a tagline: "Mature Music for Mature Adults". <ref name="katsushika-trio-biography">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.katsushika-trio.com/biography_top.html%7Ctitle=Biography%7Cscript-title=ja:バイオグラフィー%7Cpublisher=Katsushika Trio|access-date=2024-02-08|language=ja}}</ref>

They held concerts since 2021 playing their classic Casiopea hits.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.katsushika-trio.com/schedule_past.html%7Ctitle=Past Schedule|script-title=ja:過去のスケジュール|publisher=Katsushika Trio|access-date=2024-02-08|language=ja}}</ref> Katsushika Trio's first completely new song, "Red Express" was released on June 29, 2022. Their first album, MRI Mirai, was released on October 25, 2023. They followed it up with two new albums. Uchuu no Abarenbou (with its English Name officially translated as Wild Guys in the Universe) was released on September 11, 2024. Organic is their third and most recent album, released on October 1, 2025, featuring a string section from Los Angeles. The intent behind this album was to use zero synthesizers/drumpads, just bass, piano, drums and strings.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.katsushika-trio.com/discography_top.html%7Ctitle=Discography%7Cscript-title=ja:ディスコグラフィー%7Cpublisher=Katsushika Trio|access-date=2024-02-08|language=ja}}</ref>

Ottottrio

In 1987, T-Square guitarist Masahiro Andoh, Issei Noro and guitarist Hirokuni Korekata (who later formed KoreNoS and Rocket Jam, both bands with T-Square Bassists and Drummers) created a supergroup called Ottottrio. With a backing band composed by drummer Hiroyuki Noritake, keyboardists Chizuko Yoshihiro and Shotoku Sasaji, and bassist Chiharu Mikuzuki, the group released 3 albums, 2 in 1988<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://gonsiopea.com/album/?album_idx=235 |title=Super Guitar Session Hot Live – OTTOTTRIO |publisher=Gonsiopea |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://gonsiopea.com/album/?album_idx=236 |title=Super Guitar Session Red Live – OTTOTTRIO |publisher=Gonsiopea |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref> and one called "Triptych" in 1998.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://gonsiopea.com/album/?album_idx=237 |title=Triptych – OTTOTTRIO |publisher=Gonsiopea |access-date=January 31, 2024}}</ref> In 1989, Ottottrio and their backing players performed with T-Square and Casiopea on the joint event "The Super Fusion".<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://fmeno.la.coocan.jp/life/live87_93.html |title=live 1987–1993 |website=fml |access-date=2024-03-20 |language=ja}}</ref> They also reunited briefly for T-Square's 35th Anniversary in 2013.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://gonsiopea.com/album/?album_idx=682 |title=35th Anniversary Festival – T-SQUARE |publisher=Gonsiopea |access-date=January 30, 2024}}</ref>

Casiopea vs. The Square

After Ottottrio, the relationship between Casiopea and T-Square continued in 1993, when former T-Square percussionist Kiyohiko Semba played on one of the songs from Casiopea's album "Dramatic",<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|AV media notes|subject=Casiopea |title=Dramatic |date=1993-05-21 |type=CD |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3807106-Casiopea-%E3%82%AB%E3%82%B7%E3%82%AA%E3%83%9A%E3%82%A2-Dramatic-%E3%83%89%E3%83%A9%E3%83%9E%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF |access-date=2024-06-16 |publisher=Alfa |via=Discogs }}</ref> and, a year later, the bands played together an arrangement of The Beatles "Get Back" on a Japanese Broadcast.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://musicmedia.blog.shinobi.jp/Entry/5606/ |title=Quiz! Tamori no Ongaku wa Sekai da / T-SQUARE, CASIOPEA |script-title=ja:クイズ！タモリの音楽は世界だ/T－スクェア、カシオペア |website=The Listener of Music Media |access-date=2024-07-21 |language=ja}}</ref> In 1997, Casiopea, T-Square and Jimsaku played at Tokyo Jam,<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/1997/085_0720pYAONSPECIAL.html |title=1997/07/20 YAON DE ASOBU – TOKYO JAM |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref> and in 2003 both groups played (with some of the players replaced), at the event Casiopea vs. The Square itself.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=News|url=http://www.casiopea.co.jp/news.html%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030820030828/http://www.casiopea.co.jp/news.html%7Carchive-date=2003-08-20%7Caccess-date=2024-07-09%7Cpublisher=CASIOPEA%7Clanguage=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2003/221_1115pCASIOPEAvsSQUARE.html |title=2003/11/15 CASIOPEA vs THE SQUARE TOUR 2003 @OSAKA KOUSEINENKIN HALL |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2003/222_1122pCASIOPEAvsSQUARE.html |title=2003/11/22 CASIOPEA vs THE SQUARE TOUR 2003 @TOKYO KOUSEINENKIN HALL |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref> More recently they still have somewhat of an alliance, seeing as Casiopea's former drummer Noriaki Kumagai and T-Square's former bassist Mitsuru Sutoh are both in group TRIX,<ref name="trix">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.kingrecords.co.jp/cs/artist/artist.aspx?artist=36808 |title=TRIX |publisher=King Records |access-date=2024-02-01 |language=ja}}</ref> and T-Square Sax/EWI player Takeshi Itoh performed with Casiopea's former keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya in 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|book|url=https://www.dmhcj.or.jp/wp/wp-content/themes/bridge/pdf/annual06.pdf |title=Donald McDonald House Charities Japan Annual Report 2006 |publisher=Donald McDonald House Charities Japan |access-date=2024-03-19 |language=ja}}</ref>

Synchronized DNA

In 2003, Akira Jimbo and Hiroyuki Noritake created a Drum Duo called Synchronized DNA, who played in a tour with Casiopea throughout 2004,<ref group="note">See live reports for 2004,<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2004/241_1215pCASIOPEA.html |title=2004/12/15 CASIOPEA with SYNCHRONIZED DNA @KOBE |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2004/242_1217pCASIOPEA.html |title=2004/12/17 CASIOPEA with SYNCHRONIZED DNA @TOKYO |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref> 2005,<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2005/253_0723pCASIOPEAwithDNA.html |title=2005/07/23 CASIOPEA with SYNCHRONIZED DNA @OSAKA |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2005/254_0730pCASIOPEAwithDNA.html |title=2005/07/30 CASIOPEA with SYNCHRONIZED DNA @YOKOHAMA |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref> and 2006.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2006/257_0112pCASIOPEAwithDNA.html |title=2006/01/12 CASIOPEA+SyncDNA @OSAKA |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/2006/258_0121pCASIOPEAwithDNA.html |title=2006/01/21 CASIOPEA+SyncDNA @TOKYO |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref></ref> released in 2005 as "Casiopea + Sync DNA: 5 Stars Live",<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|subject=CASIOPEA |title=5 Stars Live |url=https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/casiopea/5-stars-live(movie) |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=JazzMusicArchives.com}}</ref> and in their last album before hiatus, "Signal".<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|AV media notes|subject1=Casiopea |subject2=Sync DNA |title=Signal |date=2005-12-21 |type=CD |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7910754-Casiopea-Sync-DNA-Signal |access-date=2024-06-19 |publisher=Geneon Entertainment |via=Discogs }}</ref>

Inspirits

In 2008, Issei Noro created the band Issei Noro Inspirits, with Akira Jimbo, pianist Kent Ohgiya, keyboardist Ryo Hayashi and bassist Yuji Yajima as members.<ref name="issei_noro_profile"/> As of November 21, 2018, they have released six studio albums, two live albums, and two live videos.<ref name="issei_noro_album"/>

Pegasus

In 2009, a director from Tetsuo Sakurai's record company suggested him to make an album for the 30th anniversary of his career, released as My Dear Musiclife.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://tetsuosakurai.com/discography/my-dear-musiclife%7Ctitle=My Dear Musiclife|work=Discography|publisher=Tetsuo Sakurai|access-date=2024-02-09|language=ja}}</ref> Sakurai accepted his idea but the director asked him to record "Domino Line" in it, as he played that song as Casiopea's Bassist (throughout 1979 to 1989). Sakurai asked the writer of that song, Issei Noro for permission; Noro agreed but he said he wouldn't take part in recording. Instead, Noro and Sakurai recorded a new song in Acoustic Arrangement, called "Mirage".

After that, Noro and Sakurai went on a domestic club tour as an acoustic guitar duo, called Pegasus.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://tetsuosakurai.com/discography/acoustic-show%7Ctitle=Acoustic Show|work=Discography|publisher=Tetsuo Sakurai|access-date=2024-02-09|language=ja}}</ref>

Members

Guitar

  • Issei Noro (1976–2006, 2012–present)
    • The leader of Casiopea. He formed another band during Casiopea's hiatus, known as "Issei Noro Inspirits".<ref name="issei_noro_profile"/> He has also been part of "Pegasus" with fellow ex-Casiopea bassist Tetsuo Sakurai.<ref name="acoustic-duo">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://tetsuosakurai.com/discography/acoustic-duo%7Ctitle=Acoustic Duo|work=Discography|publisher=Tetsuo Sakurai|access-date=2024-02-11|language=ja}}</ref>

Keyboards

  • Hidehiko Koike (1976)
    • Played with Casiopea in their first small-time gigs, but left the group after Casiopea played in Yamaha's music contest "EastWest '76" due to already being active in other bands. He didn't record an album with Casiopea until his appearance in their 20th Anniversary concert in 1999.<ref name="20th">{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/1999/140_1002pCASIOPEA.html |title=1999/10/02 CASIOPEA 20th SPECIAL |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=ja}}</ref>
  • Minoru Mukaiya (1977–2006)
  • Kiyomi Otaka (ja) (2012–2024)
    • The first and, as of yet, only female member of Casiopea. Before joining the group, she had been a solo recording artist since 1998. Unlike Mukaiya, she originally started using organs rather than synthesizers, though, she incorporated synths into her setup as a member of Casiopea.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.kiyomiotaka.org/profile.html%7Ctitle=PROFILE%7Cwebsite=Kiyomi Otaka Official Web Site|access-date=2024-02-09|language=ja}}</ref>
  • Jun Abe (ja) (2025–present)
    • Joined Casiopea as the band's keyboardist in 2025, succeeding Kiyomi Otaka. Throughout his career, he has worked as a composer, arranger, and keyboardist, collaborating with artists such as Namie Amuro, Takeshi Itoh, ANRI, and Arashi. His work spans multiple genres, including pop, jazz, and TV drama scores. He arranged some of the OST for Mario Kart World as well. In addition to his role in Casiopea, he continues to work as a composer and arranger.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=PROFILE |url=https://junabe.jp/profile/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Jun Abe Official Website |language=ja}}</ref>

Bass

Drums

  • Tohru "Rika" Suzuki (1976)
    • Played during their small-time gigs in Yamaha's "EastWest '76" concert. He left afterwards to record with the band Prism (ja) and was replaced by Takashi Sasaki in 1977. However, he would perform with them in crossover shows (likely when the rest of Prism was involved) in 1979, and perform with Noro, Mukaiya and Naruse in a Christmas album called Superman Santa in 1986.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|title=Superman Santa|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/120215%7Caccess-date=2024-03-06%7Cwebsite=VGMdb}}</ref>
  • Takashi Sasaki (ja) (1977–1979)
    • Replaced Tohru Suzuki, but is mostly considered the band's original drummer. It is rumored that he left the group because he was used to playing complicated rhythms, and Casiopea's sound was becoming too smooth for his style.
  • Akira Jimbo (1980–1989 as official member; 1997–2006 and 2012–2022 as Special Support)
    • Casiopea's longest-tenured drummer, who joined in 1980 as a full-time member. In 1989, he and Tetsuo Sakurai left the group to form Jimsaku.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://akira-jimbo.uh-oh.jp/discography/jimsaku.html%7Ctitle=JIMSAKU & SHAMBARA|script-title=ja:ジンサク（JIMSAKU）& シャンバラ|website=Akira Jimbo Official Website|access-date=2024-02-09|language=ja}}</ref> He returned in 1997 as a special support dummer.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/1997/080_0418pCASIOPEA.html |title=1997/04/18 CASIOPEA with special support AKIRA JIMBO |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-03-02 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/1997/081_0422pCASIOPEA.html |title=1997/04/22 CASIOPEA with special support AKIRA JIMBO |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-03-02 |language=ja}}</ref> Apart from Casiopea, he also plays drums for Issei Noro's backing band Inspirits<ref name="issei_noro_profile"/> and for the Tropical Jazz Big Band.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=https://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Profile/A012082.html |title=Profile |script-title=ja:プロフィール |work=Tropical Jazz Big Band |script-work=ja:熱帯JAZZ楽団 |publisher=Victor Entertainment |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref> On February 10, 2022, Akira Jimbo announced he would be leaving Casiopea 3rd. His final appearance with Casiopea 3rd was during the April and May 2022 Billboard Tour.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite tweet|main|number=1491698905121116160|user=jimboakira|first=Akira|last=Jimbo|title=Graduating CASIOPEA|script-title=ja:Graduating CASIOPEA. 4月5月のビルボードツアーでカシオペアを卒業させていただくことになりました。第1期はメンバーとして10年、第2期後半に復帰して、3rdになって10年間もサポートさせていただきとても幸せでした。これからも陰ながらカシオペアを応援していきたいと思います。|date=10 February 2022|language=ja}}</ref>
  • Masaaki Hiyama (1990–1992)
    • Joined the group and replaced Akira Jimbo. He left the band because of medical problems.
  • Noriaki Kumagai (ja) (1992–1996)
    • Replaced Masaaki Hiyama and played as a Casiopea member until the end of their 1996 autumn tour. In 2004, he formed Jazz-Fusion Supergroup TRIX alongside former T-Square bassist Mitsuru Sutoh, session keyboardist Hiroshi Kubota and session guitarist Takeshi Hirai, with Kubota replaced by Ayaki Saito in 2013 then Keiki Uto in 2021 and Akira Onozuka in 2024 (the latter two as a support member) and Hirai replaced by Yuya Komoguchi in 2011 then Hidehisa Sasaki in 2017 respectively.
  • Kozo Suganuma (ja) (1996–1997, Support Member) (died November 8, 2021)
    • Briefly joined Casiopea between Noriaki Kumagai's departure and Akira Jimbo's return to the band.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://vfk.music.coocan.jp/1997/071_0101pCASIOPEA.html |title=1997/01/01 CASIOPEA with TEKAZU-OH |website=Live On! Archives & Station |access-date=2024-02-08 |language=ja}}</ref>
  • Yoshinori Imai (2022–present)
    • Casiopea announced on their website that Imai would be replacing Akira Jimbo as their drummer.<ref name="casiopea-p4"/> Imai was previously part of UK Rampage.<ref>{{#invoke:Cite|web|url=http://www.ukrampage.com/about%7Ctitle=About%7Cdate=1 July 2022|website=UK Rampage|script-website=ja:有形ランペイジ}}</ref>

Vocals

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/05/1976 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1977 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1977 Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

Colors = 

 id:Guitar value:green        legend:Guitar
 id:Keys   value:purple       legend:Keyboards
 id:Bass   value:blue         legend:Bass
 id:Drums  value:orange       legend:Drums
 id:Studio value:black        legend:Studio_album
 id:Comp   value:gray(0.5)    legend:Compilation_album
 id:Live   value:gray(0.75)   legend:Live_album
 id:bars   value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData = 

layer:back
 at:25/05/1979 color:Studio
 at:25/11/1979 color:Studio
 at:21/04/1980 color:Live
 at:21/11/1980 color:Studio
 at:21/04/1981 color:Studio
 at:21/10/1981 color:Studio
 at:21/05/1982 color:Studio
 at:26/12/1982 color:Studio
 at:23/04/1983 color:Studio
 at:25/06/1983 color:Comp
 at:30/11/1983 color:Studio
 at:25/04/1984 color:Comp
 at:25/10/1984 color:Studio
 at:10/09/1985 color:Studio
 at:21/12/1985 color:Live
 at:25/06/1986 color:Comp
 at:10/09/1986 color:Studio
 at:10/07/1987 color:Live
 at:01/09/1987 color:Studio
 at:25/04/1988 color:Studio
 at:25/11/1988 color:Live
 at:25/10/1990 color:Comp
 at:25/06/1990 color:Studio
 at:25/05/1991 color:Studio
 at:25/05/1992 color:Studio
 at:25/08/1992 color:Live
 at:23/03/1994 color:Live
 at:21/05/1993 color:Studio
 at:25/05/1994 color:Studio
 at:24/08/1994 color:Studio
 at:16/12/1994 color:Studio
 at:19/05/1995 color:Studio
 at:20/09/1996 color:Studio
 at:03/09/1997 color:Studio
 at:18/09/1998 color:Studio
 at:19/05/1999 color:Studio
 at:23/02/2000 color:Live
 at:14/06/2000 color:Studio
 at:11/07/2001 color:Studio
 at:17/07/2002 color:Studio
 at:02/07/2003 color:Studio
 at:19/12/2001 color:Comp
 at:25/11/2004 color:Studio
 at:25/02/2005 color:Live
 at:21/12/2005 color:Studio
 at:17/04/2013 color:Live
 at:20/11/2013 color:Studio
 at:16/07/2014 color:Live
 at:22/04/2015 color:Studio
 at:16/03/2016 color:Live
 at:27/07/2016 color:Studio
 at:18/07/2018 color:Studio
 at:17/07/2019 color:Studio
 at:12/10/2022 color:Studio
 at:17/05/2023 color:Live
 at:03/07/2024 color:Studio

BarData = 

 bar:noro text:"Issei Noro"
 bar:koike text:"Hidehiko Koike"
 bar:mukaiya text:"Minoru Mukaiya"
 bar:otaka text:"Kiyomi Otaka"
 bar:abe text:"Jun Abe"
 bar:sakurai text:"Tetsuo Sakurai"
 bar:naruse text:"Yoshihiro Naruse"
 bar:suzuki text:"Tohru Suzuki"
 bar:sasaki text:"Takashi Sasaki"
 bar:jimbo text:"Akira Jimbo"
 bar:hiyama text:"Masaaki Hiyama"
 bar:kumagai text:"Noriaki Kumagai"
 bar:noritake text:"Hiroyuki Noritake"
 bar:imai text:"Yoshinori Imai"

PlotData= 

 width:11
 bar:noro     from:start      till:01/08/2006 color:Guitar
 bar:noro     from:20/04/2012 till:end        color:Guitar
 bar:koike    from:start      till:01/01/1977 color:Keys
 bar:mukaiya  from:01/01/1977 till:01/08/2006 color:Keys
 bar:otaka    from:20/04/2012 till:09/12/2024 color:Keys
 bar:abe from:19/02/2025 till:end color:Keys
 bar:sakurai  from:start      till:01/01/1990 color:Bass
 bar:naruse   from:01/01/1990 till:01/08/2006 color:Bass
 bar:naruse   from:20/04/2012 till:end        color:Bass
 bar:suzuki   from:start      till:01/01/1977 color:Drums
 bar:sasaki   from:01/01/1977 till:01/01/1980 color:Drums
 bar:jimbo    from:01/01/1980 till:01/01/1990 color:Drums
 bar:jimbo    from:01/01/1997 till:01/08/2006 color:Drums
 bar:jimbo    from:20/04/2012 till:28/05/2022 color:Drums
 bar:imai     from:01/07/2022 till:end        color:Drums
 bar:hiyama   from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1993 color:Drums
 bar:kumagai  from:01/01/1993 till:01/10/1996 color:Drums
 bar:noritake from:01/01/2005 till:01/08/2006 color:Drums

</timeline>

Discography

Original albums

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break Casiopea 1st

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Template:Col-end Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break Casiopea 3rd

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Casiopea (Current)

Template:Col-end

Live albums

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Remix albums

Self-cover albums

Compilations

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Videography

Radio

A fan-run internet radio called Nonstop Casiopea, created in 2016, mostly streams Casiopea's music. Sometimes they add songs from fellow Japanese Fusion Groups T-Square and Jimsaku.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

References

Notes

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Citations

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