CRS presents Rio x Rio Special Live in NY, a showcase of dazzling rock-style sanshin playing by Rio Inyaku (kankara-sanshin and vocal) and melodic ballads by Rio’ (piano and vocals), two exceptional young musicians from Japan, on August 23, 2018 at 8 pm. The teen phenoms will each play a solo set and also perform together. After the concert we invite you to stay and enjoy refreshments with Rio x Rio.

There is a suggested donation of $20 cash. Please RSVP here. Families and kids are welcome!

7:40 pm Doors open
8:00 pm Concert begins
9:30 – 10 pm Reception *ready to serve food and drink donations are also welcome!

About the Performers

Rio Inyaku is a 16-year-old can-based sanshin (kankara-sanshin) player. He plays kankara-sanshin extremely fast and also behind his neck just like Jimi Hendrix. He uses effects pedals and a loop station connector with kankara-sanshin, which makes his music unique. He has performed live in many cities, including on big stages such as “World Eisa Contest 2017” held at the National Theater Okinawa, and “Sanshin-day,” one of the biggest folk song festivals in Japan.

Rio’s set of Okinawan folk songs, fusion of Okinawan and American pop, and remix of Ryukyo classical and folk music and his amazing performance with two sanshins will surely bring you the joy of living from the South Island!

http://riomusic.rederio.jp
https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaRio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EV5c198GqU

The Kankara-sanshin I play with is originally a handmade can-based music instrument that comforted Okinawan people in the aftermath of the 2nd World War. Okinawa, which is located in southern-most Japan, consists of many beautiful islands with rich culture and friendly people. In 1945 the battle of Okinawa was fierce and many people died, but the survivors never lost their love of life, nor their love of music, and they restored the community. My dream is to create new Okinawan songs and sing with friends all over the world to make the Earth a happier place to live. Let’s enjoy music and celebrate the joy of living altogether!  — Rio Inyaku

Rio’ is a14-year-old singer-songwriter and pianist. She has been learning the basics of music and piano since she was three years old, and since she was six years old also music theory and composition. She has won a series of authoritative piano performance competitions and composition competitions every year, and her outstanding career has attracted many music stake holders. She started writing songs with lyrics and playing the guitar in 2017 and her YouTube channel “Ririon” already developed a good reputation. In December 2017, she recorded her original song “Daijoubu” (which means “You are OK” in English) with a band arrangement. It was distributed worldwide by iTunes, Amazon Music etc. in February 2018. Drumming, recording, mixing and mastering are by Masatatsu Tsubuki, a renowned recording engineer in Japan. She makes her inspiration from heaven into her lyrics and sings for the world with love and warmth.

Her original music is distributed at https://www.tunecore.co.jp/artist/Rio_ririon
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Rio.ririon7/
Digest videos https://youtu.be/LVZY-sYoTAY
YouTube “Ririon” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuapS8rqLY4p8AtE52sI_fg

I have composed many piano songs since I was little. One day when I was 13 years old, I suddenly had an inspiration of lyrics and melodies; they naturally became a song. Since then, when I am relaxed, lyrics and melodies come to me at the same time, which makes me feel like they are coming down from heaven. In April I stayed at the home of an American family in the Los Angeles suburbs, and I realized we can communicate by music without words. I would like to make many people happy and cheerful with my music. At this concert I will sing my original songs and play my original piano instrumental composition. I am looking forward to seeing you all!      — Rio’