# Akira Jimbo

Akira Jimbo, also transliterated as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira, born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer, best known as the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea in 3 separate stints (1980-1989, 1997-2006 and 2012-2022). Aside from his work with Casiopea, Jimbo has also participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.

## Background

Akira Jimbo began drumming at the age of 18 when he joined the Keio University Light Music Society Big Band. He became a member of Casiopea in 1980. During his solo career, he formed Jimsaku, a duo consisting of himself and Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. He has also worked with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square in the drum duo Synchronized DNA.
Jimbo uses a hybrid drumming style, combining elements of acoustic and electronic percussion, which is best demonstrated in his drum videos and at his drum clinics. By using the DTX drum triggering system, he is able to play fully orchestrated songs without a backing track. Jimbo has assisted in the design of K Custom Hybrid Series of cymbals by Zildjian. His drum hero is Steve Gadd.
In 1999, he won second place in the British drum magazine RHYTHM for most popular drummer. In June 2000, he became the first Asian drummer to be featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine. He appeared in the Modern Drummers Festival in 2000.

## Drum setup

One unique aspect of Jimbo's drumming is the setup of his drums. Using acoustic drums together with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create a live performance with an array of different sounds. Apart from endorsing Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals, he also endorses Vic Firth drumsticks.

### MIDI Drum Trigger System

Jimbo has claimed that every sound is triggered by himself as part of a live performance, which was true in the past, due to the limitations of the trigger system technology. As his career has progressed, however, he now uses various sequencing programs during some portions of his performances, such as during intense drum solos or particularly difficult arrangements.

### Main Drum Kit Setup

Acoustic Drums
* Yamaha WSD13AJ (13"×7") Beech Custom Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum
* Yamaha YD9000AJ (8",10",12",14",16",22") Recording Custom Akira Jimbo debut 30th Anniversary Kit
Cymbals
* Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Series
** 13.25" Hi-Hat
** 17" Crash
** 19" Trash Smash
** 19" China
** 21" Ride
** 9" Splash
** 13" Trash Splash/15" Trash Crash (stack)
Electronic Drum Trigger
* Yamaha DTX900

### Past Equipment

Drum Sets
* 1980 – YD9000R
* 1983 to 1986 – Simmons SDS-V
* 1990 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
* 1992 – Maple Custom
* 1995 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
* 1997 – Beech Custom
* 2001 – Beech Custom Absolute
* 2004 – Oak Custom Absolute
* 2005 – Oak Custom Akira Jimbo 25th anniversary
* 2010 – YD9000AJ Akira Jimbo 30th anniversary
Signature Snare Drums
* 1992 – MSD13AJ Maple 7ply Power Hoop (Limited)
* 1997 – WSD13AJ Beech 8ply Wood Hoop
* 2004 – NSD13AJ Oak 6ply Wood Hoop (Limited)
* 2012 – BSD1450AJ Old Birch 6ply Steel Hoop (Limited)

## Discography
### Studio Albums - Solo

| Year | Albums |
| 1986 | Cotton |
| 1989 | Palette |
| 1990 | Jimbo |
| 1991 | Slow Boat |
| 1992 | Penguin Parasol |
| 1993 | Lime Pie |
| 1994 | Panama Man |
| 1995 | Rooms by the Sea |
| 1996 | Flower |
| 1997 | Stone Butterfly |
| 2007 | Four Colors |
| 2008 | Get Up! |
| 2009-09-02 | Jimbomba |
| 2010-02-10 | Jimbo Gumbo |
| 2011-01-12 | Jimbo Jamboree |
| 2012-01-17 | Smile Smile |
| 2013-01-09 | Mind Scope |
| 2014-01-08 | Crossover the World |
| 2014-01-14 | Groove of Life |
| 2016-01-01 | Munity |
| 2017-01-13 | 21 |
| 2018-01-01 | 22 South Bound |
| 2018-01-01 | 23 West Bound |
| 2019 | 24th Street NY Duo |
| 2019 | 25th Avenue LA Trio |
| 2019 | 26th Street NY Duo |
| 2020 | 27th Avenue LA Trio |

### Covers Albums

| Year | Albums |
| 2012-01-14 | Jimbo de Cover |
| 2013-01-09 | Jimbo de Cover 2 |
| 2014-01-08 | Jimbo de Cover 3 |
| 2015-01-07 | Jimbo de CTI |
| 2016-01-01 | Jimbo de Jimbo 80's |

### Collaborations

| Year | Albums |
| 1994 | Navel - as Jimsaku, with Tetsuo Sakurai |
| 2000 | Intelligent Jazz #1 - with Kay Nakayama |

### Compilations

| Year | Albums |
| 1994-06-25 | Beach Picnics Vol.1 Instrumental |
| 2010-02-10 | Jimbest |

### Unit albums

| Year | Albums | Albums | Albums | Albums |
| | CASIOPEA | CASIOPEA | CASIOPEA | CASIOPEA |
| 1980 | Thunder Live Make Up City | Thunder Live Make Up City | Thunder Live Make Up City | Thunder Live Make Up City |
| 1981 | Eyes of the Mind Cross Point | Eyes of the Mind Cross Point | Eyes of the Mind Cross Point | Eyes of the Mind Cross Point |
| 1982 | Mint Jams Four by Four | Mint Jams Four by Four | Mint Jams Four by Four | Mint Jams Four by Four |
| 1983 | Photographs Jive Jive | Photographs Jive Jive | Photographs Jive Jive | Photographs Jive Jive |
| 1984 | The Soundgraphy Down Upbeat | The Soundgraphy Down Upbeat | The Soundgraphy Down Upbeat | The Soundgraphy Down Upbeat |
| 1985 | Halle Casiopea Live | Halle Casiopea Live | Halle Casiopea Live | Halle Casiopea Live |
| 1986 | Sun Sun | Sun Sun | Sun Sun | Sun Sun |
| 1987 | Casiopea Perfect Live II Platinum | Casiopea Perfect Live II Platinum | Casiopea Perfect Live II Platinum | Casiopea Perfect Live II Platinum |
| 1988 | Euphony Casiopea World Live '88 | Euphony Casiopea World Live '88 | Euphony Casiopea World Live '88 | Euphony Casiopea World Live '88 |
| | Shambara | Shambara | Shambara | Shambara |
| 1989 | Shambara | Shambara | Shambara | Shambara |
| | Jimsaku | Jimsaku | Jimsaku | Jimsaku |
| 1990 | Jimsaku | Jimsaku | Jimsaku | Jimsaku |
| 1991 | 45 °C | 45 °C | 45 °C | 45 °C |
| 1992 | Jade Viva! | Jade Viva! | Jade Viva! | Jade Viva! |
| 1993 | 100% Wind Loves Us | 100% Wind Loves Us | 100% Wind Loves Us | 100% Wind Loves Us |
| 1994 | Navel | Navel | Navel | Navel |
| 1995 | Blaze of Passion Best Selection | Blaze of Passion Best Selection | Blaze of Passion Best Selection | Blaze of Passion Best Selection |
| 1996 | Dispensation | Dispensation | Dispensation | Dispensation |
| 1997 | Mega db | Mega db | Mega db | Mega db |
| | Casiopea | Nettai Tropical Jazz Big Band | | |
| 1997 | Light and Shadows | Live in Yokohama | | |
| 1998 | Be | II ~September~ | | |
| 1999 | Material | III ~My Favourite~ | | |
| | | | Intelligent JAZZ | |
| 2000 | 20th(live) Bitter Sweet | IV ~La Rumba~ | Intellijent Jazz #1 |
| 2001 | Main Gate | V ~La Noche Tropical~ | | |
| | | | | ヒダじんぼ |
| 2002 | Inspire | VI ~En Vivo~ Live 2002 (DVD) | SkyandGround | Bridge |
| | | | | JB Project |
| 2003 | Places | VII ~Spain~ | | Brombo! |
| 2004 | Marble Live and More | VII ~The Covers~ | Stevie is wonderful | Brombo! 2 |
| | | | | Synchronized DNA (DVDs) |
| 2005 | Gig25 Signal | IX ~Mas Tropical!~ | Jazz Only Lives Twice | Double Drum Performance Live Tour 2005 |
| | Pyramid | | | |
| 2005 | Pyramid | | | |
| 2006 | Telepath | X ~Swing con Clave~ 10th Anniversary Live (DVD) | Stevie is wonderful More | Double Drum Performance 2 |
| 2007 | | XI ~Let's Groove~ | | Are You Synchronized? |
| 2008 | | XII ~The Originals~ | | |
| 2009 | | XII ~Fantasy~ | | |
| 2010 | | XIII ~Liberty City~ | | |
| 2011 | Pyramid3 | | | |

### Drums Lesson Series

| Year | Title | Media |
| 1992 | Metamorphosis | VHS |
| 1995 | Pulse | VHS |
| 1997 | Independence | VHS |
| 1999 | Evolution | VHS |
| 2003 | Wasabi | DVD |
| 2003 | Fujiyama | DVD |
| 2004 | Solo Drum Performance ~One Man Orchestra~ | DVD |
| 2005 | Solo Drum Performance 2 ~One Man Orchestra~ | DVD |
| 2006 | Solo Drum Performance 3 ~One Man Orchestra~ | DVD |
| 2007 | Solo Drum Performance 4 ~神保彰の作り方~ | DVD |
| 2008 | Solo Drum Performance 5 ~Circuit Exercises~ | DVD |
| 2009 | Solo Drum Performance 6 ~Offset Exercises~ | DVD |
| 2010 | Solo Drum Performance 7 ~Shadow Exercises~ | DVD |
| 2011 | Solo Drum Performance 8 ~Dotted Exercises~ | DVD |