Akira Jimbo

Akira Jimbo, also seen as Akira Jinbo (神保 彰, Jinbo Akira, born February 27, 1959), is a Japanese musician who combines electronic drum technology and acoustic drums. Aside from his solo work, he is the drummer for the Japanese jazz fusion band Casiopea and has participated in side projects with Keiko Matsui, Shambara, and Brian Bromberg.

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-duo with Casiopea's bassist Tetsuo Sakurai in 1989. He has also worked with Hiroyuki Noritake from T-Square in the drum-duo Synchronized DNA.

Jimbo has a drumming style 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 a full band sound 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.

One aspect of Jimbo's drumming is the setup of his drums.Using Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals with Yamaha electronic drum triggers, Jimbo is able to create an array of different sounds. He points out that his mounted toms are aligned perfectly so that no one drum is lower or higher than the other, a method he applies to the floor toms as well.

Drum kit

Acoustic Drums

• Yamaha WSD13AJ (13"×7") Beech Custom Akira Jimbo Signature Snare Drum
• Yamaha YD9000AJ (8",10",12",14",16",22") Birch Custom Akira Jimbo debut 30th Anniversary Kit

Cymbal

• Zildjian K Custom Hybrid Series
  • 13.25" Hi-Hat
  • 17", 19" Crash
  • 19" China
  • 21" Ride
  • 9" Splash
  • 15" Trash Smash/Crash

Electronic Drum Trigger

• Yamaha DTX900

History

Drum Sets

• 1980 – YD9000R
• 1990 – Yamaha Rock Tour Custom
• 1992 – Mapex 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)

Studio Albums - Solo

Covers Albums

Collaborations

Compilations

Unit albums

Video