Ohtaka Sizzle (passed away on September 5, 2022), a voice artist who has created a unique non-genre musical world by freely manipulating her seven-colored voice, has developed numerous performances even before the launch of the Museum of Picture Book Art in 2009. She also took on the role of publicity manager for the Museum of Picture Book Art, and contributed to the development of various art festivals, including the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, the Ichihara Lakeside Museum, and the NORTHERN ALPS ART FESTIVAL, by involving the Hachi community and many others. This summer, the museum will exhibit works created by the artist Tashima Seizo along with the trajectory of Ohtaka Sizzle’s career, and will hold a one-day tribute live performance in conjunction with the exhibition.

Komatcha Klezmer led by Umezu Kazutoki, who collaborated with Ohtaka Sizzle on the CDs “The Toperatoto Dance” and “SUPPON-PON,” will appear at the Museum of Picture Book Art this summer after a long absence. Let’s enjoy singing and dancing together with Sizzle’s thoughts in heaven!

Ohtaka Sizzle / PROFILE

Born in 1953 in Tokyo. Ohtaka explores the only and unique field of songs with her distinctive voice. She aims to expand possibility and clear out constrains of voice through her project, “drawing with voice”. “Kurayami Art Museum” in 2016 at Ichihara Lakeside Museum which presented collaborations between light and voice underlined the duality that she pursued with her works. She promotes the fondly-remembered old Japanese words from unique perspective though her singing on the TV show, “Nihongo de Asobo”.

(Photo Nakamura Osamu)

Komatcha Klezmer / PROFILE

The members are Umezu Kazutoki (sax, cl, vo), Tada Yoko (sax, vo), Matsui Ayumi (vl), Chan Kohyo (acd), Sekijima Takero (tub), Natsuaki Fumihisa (ds). The group started in 1996 as a small traveling Klezmer ensemble, predecessor of the first Klezmer Orchestra in Japan, Bethuni Nammo Klezmer, formed by Umezu.