Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ), commonly abbreviated by fans as "Skapara", is a Japanese Ska and Jazz band formed in 1985 by the percussionist Asa-Chang. Initially comprised of more than 10 veterans of Tokyo's underground scene. At the time, the band's sound was unlike that of any of its contemporaries in the then fledgling Japanese ska scene, and over the course of the past 21 years, their innovation has proved to have been very influential on Japanese music as a whole. Its sound, the product of the musical influences of its numerous members, is an eclectic mix of traditional ska, jazz, and rock. In the vein of many other more traditional ska acts, many of Skapara's songs are purely instrumental. Since their inception, the band has done countless nationwide tours of Japan, and have toured extensively worldwide.

Members

Current
Nargo (Kimiyoshi Nagoya) on Trumpet (Original Member)
Masahiko Kitahara on Trombone (Original Member)
Tatsuyuki Hiyamuta on Alto Saxophone, Guitar (Original Member)
Gamou on Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone (Original Member)

Atsushi Yanaka on Baritone Saxophone (Original Member)
Tsuyoshi Kawakami on Bass (Original Member)
Takashi Kato on Guitar (Joined 1998)
Yuichi Oki on Keyboards (Original Member)

Hajime Ohmori on Percussion (Joined 1996)
Kin-ichi Motegi on Drums (Joined 1999)

Former Members
Yuhei Takeuchi on Soprano Sax, Flute (left 4/1990)
Masayuki "MARC" Hayashi on Guitar (left 6/1992)
Asa-Chang on percussion (left 3/1993)
Left the band in order to pursue other projects.
Cleanhead Gimura on vocals (died 4/23/1995)
The band's frontman. Died following a battle with brain cancer.
Toru Terashi on guitar (joined 7/1993, left 1/1998)
Rui Sugimura on vocals (joined 2/1998, left 2/1999)
Tatsuyuki Aoki on Drums (died 5/2/1999)
Killed in a rail accident.




In 1985, the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイス) was started by Asa-Chang, starting with a Ska sound unlike that of the main scene, owing to a group of more than 10 people who charged out from Tokyo's underground scene and showed innovation that the Japanese music scene was aroused by. The band, whose contracted name is Skapara, has done tons of live performances in the streets and clubs of Tokyo.

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra is a special ska band standing out among the ska bands around the world, and musical performers who contribute many aspects of their music like authentic ska, jazz, and rock to their sounds, referring to their genre as Tokyo Ska. Many overseas artists and music industry people have always been eager to buy their records while staying in Japan. Needless to say, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has been a great longing for ska music lovers from all over the world.

The Skatalites invited them to join their US Tour, saying "I would always be available for them."

Skapara has collaborated with several vocalists outside of their band, including Shiina Ringo, Yusuke Chiba of Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, Takao Tajima, and Tamio Okuda.


Albums
[1989.11.18] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ)
[1990.05.01] Skapara Toujou (スカパラ登場) (Skapara's Intro)
[1991.03.21] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Live (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ ライブ)
[1991.06.21] World Famous (ワールドフェイマス)
[1991.10.25] World Famous Remix
[1993.03.21] PIONEERS
[1994.04.21] FANTASIA
[1994.??.??] JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA (vinyl)
[1995.02.01] Tokyo Deluxe Original Soundtrack (東京デラックス オリジナルサウンドトラック)
[1995.06.21] GRAND PRIX
[1996.09.02] Tokyo Strut (トーキョーストラット)
[1997.11.21] MOODS FOR TOKYO SKA ~WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SKA IS!~
[1998.08.26] Arkestra
[1999.07.23] Tondemo Crisis! Original Soundtrack (とんでもクライシス！ オリジナルサウンドトラック) (Incredible Crisis! Original Soundtrack)
[2000.07.26] FULL-TENSION BEATERS
[2001.03.14] Gunslingers
[2002.05.22] Stompin' On DOWN BEAT ALLEY
[2002.11.07] BEST (1989~1997)
[2003.01.16] Shin Jingi Naki Tatakai "Bousatsu" Original Soundtrack (新仁義なき戦い "謀殺" オリジナルサウンドトラック) (New Moral Battle "Homicide" Original Soundtrack)
[2003.03.05] HIGH NUMBERS
[2004.02.04] ON TOUR
[2005.03.09] Answer
[2005.04.19] SKA ME CRAZY ~THE BEST OF TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA~
[2005.06.07] WILD PEACE
[2007.03.21] BEST OF TOKYO SKA 1998-2007
[2008.03.26] Perfect Future
Compilations
[1993.12.01] gifted WINTER SELECTION
[1996.??.??] THE BEST SELECTION (タイ盤)
[1999.07.23] JUSTA RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1
Singles
[1990.04.21] MONSTER ROCK
[1991.01.21] Eikou e no Countdown (栄光へのカウントダウン) (Countdown to Glory)
[1991.06.21] Hole in One (ホールインワン)
[1992.12.02] Burning Scale
[1993.05.01] Marai no Hou (マライの號) (Mark of Marai)
[1993.08.21] gold rush
[1993.10.23] Happening (ハプニング)
[1993.12.12] Bloom Maid (ブルーマーメイド)
[1994.09.07] HAPPY GO LUCKY
[1995.01.21] Tokyo Deluxe (東京デラックス)
[1995.04.28] WATERMELON
[1995.07.21] JAM
[1996.08.13] ROCK MONSTER STRIKES BACK (Vinyl; CD Released 1996.07.21)
[1997.04.21] HURRY UP!!
[1998.04.22] Ai ga Aru Kai? (愛があるかい?) (Does Love Exist?)
[1998.07.08] Dear My Sister
[1999.05.12] Hi no Tama Jive (火の玉ジャイヴ) (Fireball Jive)
[1999.11.17] Senjou ni Sasageru Melody (戦場に捧げるメロディー) (Devote to the Battle Melody)
[2000.06.21] Film Makers Bleed ~Choujou Kessen~ (フィルムメイカーズ・ブリード～頂上決戦～) (Film Makers Bleed ~Decisive Battle on the Summit~)
[2001.08.08] Mekure ta Orange (めくれたオレンジ) (Peeled Orange)
[2001.12.12] Canary Naku Sora (カナリヤ鳴く空) (Great Singing Bird Sky)
[2002.02.14] Utsukushiku Moeru Mori (美しく燃える森) (Beautiful Burning Forest)
[2003.02.05] Ginga to Meiro (銀河と迷路) (The Galaxy and Maze)
[2003.06.04] A Quick Drunkard
[2004.05.25] Sekai Chizu (世界地図) (World Map)
[2004.07.08] STROKE OF FATE
[2005.??.??] Saraba Tomo Yo (さらば友よ) (Farewell My Friends) (Limited edition sold only at ANSWER TOUR concert venues)
[2005.12.14] Tsuioku no Lilac (追憶のライラック) (Lilac of Reminiscence)
[2006.02.15] Sapphire no Hoshi (サファイアの星) (Sapphire's Star)
[2006.05.10] Hoshi Furu Yoru ni (星降る夜に) (Night of the Falling Star)
DVD & Video
[1991.12.01] Skapara Video (スカパラビデオ) (video)
[1992.03.25] Ongyoku no Ran (音曲の乱) (Osamu's Amazing Songs)
[1992.08.08] TOKYO SKA ~EVERYTIME WE SAY GOOD BYE Kageri Yuku Hikari no Naka de (TOKYO SKA ~EVERYTIME WE SAY GOOD BYE 翳りゆく光の中で)
[1992.12.02] World Series from Tokyo Ska
[1993.12.12] Skapara at Kyabare (スカパラ at キャバレー)
[1994.04.21] LIVE FANTASIA
[1994.04.21] VIDEO FANTASIA
[1995.12.01] LIVE GRAND PRIX
[1997.11.21] 18540617
[1999.11.17] SKA EVANGELISTS ON THE RUN TOKYO SKA PARADISE ORCHESTRA 1998-1999
[2002.09.04] DOWN BEAT SELECTOR (DVD)
[2002.09.04] DOWN BEAT ARENA ~Yokohama Arena 7.7.2002 [Kanzen Ban] (DOWN BEAT ARENA ~横浜アリーナ 7.7.2002 [完全版]) (DOWN BEAT ARENA ~Yokohama Arena 7.7.2002 [Complete]) (DVD)
[2004.03.03] EUROPE TOUR 2003 Road Movie DVD - [CATCH THE RAINBOW] (EUROPE TOUR 2003 ロード・ムーヴィーDVD - 「CATCH THE RAINBOW」) (DVD)
[2005.01.13] [15TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE SINCE DEBUT 2004.10.22 Yoyogi Dai-Taiikukan] (「15TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE SINCE DEBUT 2004.10.22 代々木第一体育館」) (15TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE SINCE DEBUT 2004.10.22 in National Yoyogi Stadium No.1 Gymnasium) (DVD)
Other Works
[1995.04.28] WATERMELON/Takahashi Yukihiro featuring Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
[1995.10.21] Akira no Jiin toki chau ze/Kobayashi Akira with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
[1997.04.25] Deka Melon/Takenaka Naoto with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (Large Melon)
[2000.02.21] SPEED KING/SPEED KING
[2001.12.12] moodmakers/Kawakami Tsuyoshi to Kare no Moodmakers
[2003.08.06] moodmaker's mood/Kawakami Tsuyoshi to Kare no Moodmakers
[2003.08.06] Sembellogy/Sembello
[2004.07.28] floatin' mood/Kawakami Tsuyoshi to Kare no Moodmakers
[2004.07.28] THE 3rd ERA of SKA~EURO AUTHENTIC SKA COLLECTION~/V.A. (JUSTA RECORD presents)
[2004.11.25] the second album/Sembello
[2004.12.01] sparkling mood/Kawakami Tsuyoshi to Kare no Moodmakers
[2005.03.30] THE 3rd ERA of SKA~NORTH AMERICAN SKA COLLECTION~/V.A. (JUSTA RECORD presents)
[2005.09.14] mood inn/Kawakami Tsuyoshi to Kare no Moodmakers
[2006.03.22] GO-GO KING RECORDERS original recording VOL.1