Kaz & Friends

Kazuhiro Inaba & Friends

“Kazahiro Inaba was part of a wave of visitors from Japan in the 1980s who were interested in the bluegrass, old time, and country music prevalent in the Appalachian region. Many of those visitors were skilled musicians in Appalachian music styles, and Kaz was especially talented – singing and playing banjo, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. His warm personality and wonderful sense of humor also endeared him to many of the people he met in the region which he has visited many times since he first started coming to the US to visit and share in the music.” — Jack Hinshelwood

Kazuhiro Inaba – In Japan, Kazuhiro has established himself as one of the top professional bluegrass artists. Since the start of his career, he has performed widely in Japan and the United States, and he has recorded with some of the greats in bluegrass music, including Buddy Spicher, Bobby Hicks, Butch Robins, Mike Compton, Keith Little, Sammy Shelor, Roland White and more. Kazuhiro Inaba continues to spread bluegrass music to audiences in Japan, as well as share his own heartfelt love of this American music form with audiences in the United States. Hailing from the Kansai area of Japan, Kazuhiro “Kaz” Inaba was born in Osaka in 1960 and started playing the 5-string banjo when he was fifteen years old. While growing up, his biggest influences were his father (also a banjo player) and his brother, a talented mandolinist. Inaba and his brother began performing bluegrass music in the Kansai area of Japan in the mid-1970s. In the early 1980s, Inaba made his first trip to the United States where he began performing and making inroads into the American bluegrass scene. In 2007, Kaz joined Butch Robins’ World International Bluegrass Band as the lead vocalist and guitarist, performing at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) 2007 Fan Fest, and on the nationally syndicated TV program “Song of the Mountains.” To date, Inaba has released seven solo albums, and the IBMA selected one of Inaba’s tracks (“Worries On My Mind”) for inclusion on its 1992 “Long Journey Home,” a collection of music by various bluegrass musicians from around the world. Inaba produced a new “Live” compilation album of his group Bluegrass Ramble which was released at the Bluegrass Ramble’s 200th show in October 2022, and their 25th Anniversary show was held in 2024 at Osaka’s Azul Terrace. In addition to performing, promoting, and recording, Kaz operates the annual Kazuhiro Inaba Bluegrass Camp in Minoh, Osaka which celebrated its 11th year in 2024. Kazuhiro Inaba has emerged as a highly regarded Japanese banjo and guitar picker.” – from “Bluegrass” by Richard D. Smith

Scott Freeman, Mandolin – Scott comes from a family rich in musical talent and his dynamic mandolin playing is built on an interest in a wide range of genres including bluegrass, old time, and jazz. Scott’s numerous recordings on mandolin, guitar and fiddle have been made in solo settings and with artists like Skeeter & the Skidmarks, Alternate Routes, Edwin Lacy, Willard Gayheart, and his daughter, nationally recognized recording artist Dori Freeman. Scott’s teaching, writing, and arranging music also makes him one of the busiest artists in his home area of Galax, Virginia.

Butch Robins, Banjo – With his innovative mind and creativity, Butch Robins has few peers in the world of the banjo. He occupies a lofty position in the annals of American music, having performed with some of the most influential artists of all time like the New Grass Revival, Leon Russell, and the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe. In 2016, Butch was inducted into the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Hall of Fame in Bean Blossom, Indiana. In addition to performing and recording, Butch has shared his extensive knowledge of the banjo, bluegrass music, Bill Monroe, and other topics through his autobiography, workshops, and videos.

Tim Yates, Bass – Tim Yates is an accomplished guitarist and bassist, as well as song composer. Growing up, Tim toured the country with his family band, The Yates Brothers, as well as with Wyatt Rice and other prominent bluegrass musicians. Now he finds no greater satisfaction than performing with his wife and two daughters in their own family band, the Yates Family. The Yates Family has performed for the Carter Family Fold, the IBMA, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and many other storied venues.

Jack Hinshelwood, Fiddle – For over 50 years, singer, songwriter, and award-winning multi-instrumentalist Jack Hinshelwood has entertained audiences with a broad swath of traditional and Americana music on guitar, fiddle, harmonica, and vocals. Jack played fiddle and guitar for over 20 years with Celtibillies, playing and recording a mixture of Celtic and Appalachian music. Jack is a winner of the Knoxville World’s Fair Guitar Championship, the Wayne Henderson Guitar Championship, and a two-time winner of the prestigious Galax Old Fiddler’s Convention guitar contest. His most recent recording, 50 Years in the Making, is a two-volume anthology of old time, bluegrass, and blues music featuring fellow artists such as Doyle Lawson, Phil Wiggins, Dom Flemons, Michael Cleveland, Dori Freeman and many others. From 2022 to 2024 Jack co-produced and performed with DOC AT 100, a touring concert program celebrating the music and legacy of North Carolina folk musician Doc Watson. DOC AT 100 featured Jack along with Doc’s former touring partners T. Michael Coleman and Jack Lawrence, celebrated luthier and guitarist Wayne Henderson, and Appalachian music scholar Dr. Ted Olson. DOC AT 100 is currently nominated for “Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2024.

“A fine quick-picker with a warm, welcoming voice.” – Bluegrass Unlimited

Websites:

Kazuhiro Inaba – https://kazuhiroinaba.com/profile_english/

Scott Freeman – https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/artist/scott-freeman/

Jack Hinshelwood – jackhinshelwoodmusic.com

Butch Robins – https://www.butchrobins.com/index.html

VIDEOS:

Kazuhiro Inaba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta-MQjPsll0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llIvwIPbXy8&t=28s

Scott Freeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apn7DKR2c10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttsHl_MlxYw

Jack Hinshelwood

https://youtu.be/gUIuJLICqgk https://youtu.be/Hs24u-ZWEjM https://youtu.be/H-Xk0sR5hsU

Butch Robins

Tim Yates