The Japanese bailaor is accompanied by Duquende and Chicuelo in this new show

Flamenco-world.com, May 2003

Antonio Gades changed the course of his artistic career, directed towards opera and ballet, when he débuted in Japan in the '60s. Carmen Amaya was the definitive incentive in 'Los Tarantos'. Shoji Kojima set off for Spain determined to become a bailaor... and rubbing shoulders with la crème de la crème, he managed to do so. Several decades later, with a solid, respectable career behind him, he returns to Barcelona to present his new show: 'De paso'. With guitarist Chicuelo and cantaor Duquende as its main strengths, the show is to be presented at Barcelona's Palau on May 30th, 2003.

Shoji Kojima's performance within the framework of the 14th Guitar Festival in Barcelona comes with the guarantee of a first-rate group, as usual for the artist. Chicuelo, his usual guitarist, takes part as the show's musical director and will have Salva de María as his partner on the guitar. Duquende will be the guest artist, as cantaores such as Miguel Poveda, Mayte Martín and Ginesa Ortega, among others, have been on previous occasions. The vocals are covered by Londro, José Anillo and Encarna Anillo. And there are also other instruments: Ernesto Briceao on the violin; and Isaac el Rubio on percussion.

'De paso', show presented from May 23rd to 25th in Tokyo, is the next to the last step of a festival in which flamenco is very present. In this edition, having performed at both the Palau de la Música and the Auditori are Tomatito, Estrella Morente and Antonio Canales with Manuela Carrasco, highlighting a bill including such outstanding musicians as Charlie Haden, Jordi Bonell with Carles Benavent and Ximo Tebar and which will be closed by Brazilian Joao Gilberto. It is not the first time Shoji Kojima has danced in the capital of Catalonia. The Japanese bailaor, who débuted along with Merche Esmeralda and Carmen Linares, inaugurated the Cuitat Vella Festival two years ago.