Noriko Tadano

Noriko Tadano is a Japanese Australian award-winning, virtuoso master of the Japanese shamisen (a 3-string, banjo-like instrument) and a traditional Japanese vocalist, who has performed within Australia and internationally.

Noriko Tadano was born in Chiba, Japan in1978. She has been playing shamisen since she was 6 years old and performs both as a soloist, as well as in collaborations.

She moved to Australia in 2004

She spent time as a Japanese assistant language teacher, as well as busking on the street and performing on the shamisen at open mic nights.[6] Tadano saw her work as an opportunity to share Japanese culture with others, and to give people the opportunity to see a traditional Japanese instrument.[6]

Through performing on the streets and playing at local events, Tadano subsequently met and collaborated with local musicians, such as fellow Japanese Australians - taiko drummer [a2770481] (founder of the Wadaiko Rindo taiko group) and country and blues musician George Kamikawa.

She performed and released music with George Kamikawa as a duo.

Noriko’s ability and drive to cross over between traditional and modern Japanese music has recently seen her perform with renowned world musicians as well as traditional Japanese artists.

She now resides in Adelaide, South Australia.