🎹 Legends of Digital Synthesizers – A Special Event in Tokyo

Date: June 15, 2025
Location: Artware Hub KAKEHASHI MEMORIAL, Tokyo

The Kakehashi Arts & Culture Foundation is proud to present a unique talk-concert event titled “3 Legends of Digital Synthesizer – Dawn of Digital Synthesis”. This one-night gathering will celebrate the transformative era of digital synthesizers and their influence on modern music, featuring both legendary developers and renowned musicians.

🎟️ Event Details

• Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
• Time: Doors open at 17:00, Program begins at 17:30
• Location: Artware Hub KAKEHASHI MEMORIAL, Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Admission: ¥2,000 (tax included)
• Organizer: Kakehashi Arts & Culture Foundation
• Support: Yamaha, Roland, and Korg

🎤 Guest Musicians

• Yasuhiko Fukuda – Synth programmer and studio veteran involved with sound development for the Yamaha DX7. In 2025, he debuted as a piano singer-songwriter.
• Tatsuya Nishiwaki – Prolific composer and chromatic harmonica performer. Known for his work on over 3,000 tracks and his educational outreach through NHK-FM.
• Takanobu Masuda – Session keyboardist for major artists like B’z. Also active in anime scoring and music education through his own school, T-Music Yokohama.

🎙️ Guest Speakers – Industry Legends

• Norio Iwasaki (Korg Advisor) – Shared marketing insights behind the global success of the Korg M1.
• Toshihito Kamisasa (Yamaha) – Instrument planner behind groundbreaking products like the DX7 and MOTIF.
• Tadao Kikumoto (Roland) – Developer of the TR-808 and D-50, former president of Roland, and one of the key figures in synth history.

🎧 Event Navigator

Motokazu Shinoda – Composer, synth specialist, and host of the FM show “Moto Music Town.” A leading figure in Japanese electronic music education.

📌 Access

Artware Hub KAKEHASHI MEMORIAL
3-14-3 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Nearest Stations:
• 12-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR, Tokyo Metro, Seibu)
• 6-minute walk from Nishi-Waseda Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line)

📞 Contact & Registration

Kakehashi Arts & Culture Foundation
Phone: 03-6205-6915
Email: info@kakehashi-foundation.jp
Website: Official Event Page

Why You Should Attend

This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about synthesizers, music technology, or the history of electronic instruments. Experience rare, first-hand stories from the creators of the DX7, D-50, and M1—three instruments that reshaped the sound of pop, rock, and film music worldwide. Plus, enjoy live performances by artists who shaped these instruments’ legacies on stage.