Kento Masuda: A Modern Tale of Musical Genius
Kento Masuda is the eminent classical pianist of our generation, travelling a less followed modern path of serving as the Maestro to the Vatican, and as the composer of royal processional and recessional marches. Don Kento Masuda has recorded ten albums and received a multitude of international awards. Known formally as His Excellency Count Maestro Don Kento Masuda, his allegiances to the Vatican under the order of Malta and to the Kawai brand which has created and sponsored a see-through grand crystal piano worth over one million dollars for his sole use, are only two of many accolades and responsibilities he is charged with.
Don Masuda was first introduced to the piano at the age of five in his home country of Japan. Throughout his formative years he found influence from composers such as Mozart and Bach. Displaying a natural talent at such a young age, he went on to win the Junior Original Competition of the Yamaha Music Foundation. By age seventeen, he began performing as Yamaha’s sponsored musician in New York, meeting producers such as Phil Rubin and Lee Shapiro. A year later in 1992, he released his first original album “Wheel of Fortune”. In 1998 he produced his first solo album called “MYOJYOW”, audio mastered by Bobby Hata. Just a year later “Memories” was released. Both of these albums were submitted in the United States which led to recognition from companies headed by major players in the music industry like Steve Vai and Ruta Sepety whereafter Masuda went on to establish his own publishing company and label called Kent On Music Inc. while simultaneously establishing a producing and recording studio in Tokyo in 2000. He is an unstoppable force.
Don Masuda not only provides stellar compositions for the royalty of the world and global listening community, but also has moonlighted as the featuring composer/pianist for haute couture fashion shows such as the 2011 Yohji Yamamoto’s Paris Fashion week exhibition. The 57th Grammy Awards in 2015 included four official submissions for Don Masuda in addition to a nomination to the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for his composition “Tree”. In July 2017 he received an Artisan World Festival Peace International Initiative “Music, Performance & Humanitarian” Award from the H.R.H Princess Angelique Monet at the United Nations in New York City.
For the current buzz, his eminence Kento Masuda attended the 61st Grammy Awards alongside Swedish popstar Elsa Andren and is currently working on his eleventh album with Gary Vandy, award-winning producer and engineer who has more than 200 gold and platinum singles to his repertoire. Although the release date is unknown, followers can expect the album to be revealed soon with contemporary notes over a traditional classical reminiscence. In his free time, Don Masuda is in deep preparation of a classic march piece commissioned by an Imperial Royal Highness in honor of their dynasty. In 2019 he is set to play and record with United States-sponsored orchestras and philharmonic symphonies. Kento will also be performing in Rome for St. Sylvester at San Regis Grand Palace in May on the eminent Grand Crystal Kawai piano. This will make the start of his European Tour for the summer.
Described as “one of the world’s artistic treasures,” Kento proceeds to push the musical limits. His composing style is defined by intricacies and layers of rhythm and sound that take the listener to a new world with each note. His music defines his spirit, and it is sure to touch the hearts and souls of all who hear it.
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