is a Japanese singer-songwriter. She is signed to Sony Music Japan International.
Her latest mini album, My Road ~ Songs for Guin Saga was released on August 26, 2009. Her fifth album planned to be released on March 31, 2011, as she stated on her blog. But, somehow she postponed it. Her most recent album was released on April 27, 2011. The album's title is "A New Story"
Biography Kanon was born in Japan and lived much of her childhood abroad. Growing up in a western world led her to pick up many such habits and customs, one of which includes a fluent tongue in English. She began participating in a choir at age 13, in which she acquired a fair amount of interest in classical vocalization as well as vocal technique. Kanon grew to appreciate famous composers such as Handel and Chopin. Little did she know that this timely love of classical music would mature and blossom into what will become the cornerstone of her career as an artist.
She debuted in July 2002 with her first live performance shortly after graduating the Queensland Conservatorium in Australia. A year later, Kanon released [Alleluia], a mini-album containing various songs in her own piano self-accompaniment. That same year she was invited to perform live in Russia at the Moscow Baptist Church, the Red-Plaza stage, and at a home for the elderly. She was very popular with the crowds and was deemed a highly regarded Japanese representative. The first year-and-a-half of her career proved to be a fantastic display of vocal prowess, but also, in particular, lacked in original compositions. It wasn't until February 2004 when Kanon released the album [Hymn of Grace], this one being the first to include songs written and composed by her. Prior to this release she solely sang covers of songs (usually ones that fall under the category of popular folk songs) indigenous to various regions of the world.
Equipped with a beautiful face and a voice to match, Kanon aspired to reach the pinnacle of her potential, possibly out of a desire to far exceed the positive feedback from listeners all around the world. They say her voice is "one that heals," which is an accurate description considering her soothing vocals and extensive range. Sony Music Japan International recognized her talents and together they released her first single [KISEKI Song of Love] in October 2004.
The following year was busy, portentous to Kanon's promotion now that she had her newly signed contract under Sony Music. June 2005 opened up with her album [Primary Flowers] and an invitation to sing Japan's national anthem during the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany-Asia public showing. She ended the year with a live performance in Tokyo in October.
In 2006, Kanon released three singles, Kokoro, My Destiny/Serenade, and Brand New Breeze. Her December album Sanctuary compiled her releases from this year along with several new tracks. She was invited to perform at MIDEM 2007, appearing as Japan's representative at the event. Her musi style is generally described as contemporary classical.
Tie-ins are also a part of Kanon's routine and plays in her overall promotion. Her song "Brand New Breeze" is being used in the opening sequence of the current anime Kiniro no Corda ~primo passo~. In the videogame industry, one of Kanon's most well-known endeavors is her collaboration with avex trax to aid in the completion of Namco's RPG Tales of Legendia, in which she sang as lead vocalist in a few of the games’ tracks. In fact, visiting the provided link will direct you to the game's official site, where a sample of one of those songs can be heard. One song in particular from the Tales of Legendia Original Soundtrack, "Tori wa Naki, Boku wa Utau" ("The Bird Chirps, I Sing"), has captivated fans across the globe, thus increasing the number of listeners to what it is today.
Career She debuted in 2003 with a mini album titled Alleluia -Piano & Voice-. As of year 2008, she already has 5 singles, 4 studio albums and 2 mini albums released and her latest appearance is at NHK Studio Park Kara Konnichiwa on March 19, 2008.
Collaborations As for songs on her albums, she often does compositions herself, however occasionally collaborated with other composers such as Saint-Preux and Francesco Sartori.
Discography
Singles
Wings to Fly～翼をください／虹／明日への鼓動 Wings to Fly～翼をください ＜作詞：山上路夫 作曲：村井邦彦 編曲・英語詞：カノン＞ 虹 ＜作詞・作曲：カノン 編曲：北浦正尚＞ 明日への鼓動 ＜作詞･作曲：カノン 編曲：スパム春日井＞ Wings to Fly～翼をください [Instrumental] 虹 [Instrumental] 明日への鼓動 [Instrumental]
Kiseki Song of Love This single is released on October 20, 2004, while the catalogue number is SICL-95.
Kiseki Song of Love Composition/lyrics: Kanon Memories of Summer time English lyrics: Kanon Kiseki Song of Love (Instrumental) Memories of Summer time (Instrumental)
Gloria Gloria Composition/lyrics: Kanon Wings to fly ~ Tsubasa wo Kudasai Arrangement/English lyrics: Kanon Gloria (Instrumental) Angel Heart(Anime by Tsukasa Hōjō) Soundtrack
Kokoro Kokoro Kiseki Song of Love (Piano Version) Kokoro (Instrumental)
My Destiny/Serenade It was released on May 24, 2006, and the catalogue number is SICL-139.
My Destiny Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Serenade Composition/lyrics: Kanon My Destiny (Instrumental) Serenade (Instrumental)
Brand New Breeze This is released on November 22, 2006, catalogue number is SICL-149.
Brand New Breeze Composition/lyrics: Kanon The Power Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Brand New Breeze (Instrumental) The Power (Instrumental)
Studio albums
Hymn of Grace Released on February 18, 2004; catalogue number VCCM-2001.
– Kanon Gloria – Kanon – Antonio Vivaldi The water is wide – English Folk Lullaby – Irish Folk Lullaby
Calling you – Bob Telson Ave Maria – Schubert Ave Maria – Kanon Loving Grace – Kanon The Light – Kanon – Andrew Lloyd Webber
Primary Flowers Released on June 22, 2005, catalogue number: SICL-110.
My Name is... Composer/arranger: Kanon Kiseki Song of Love
Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Wings to fly ~ Tsubasa wo Kudasai (cathedral version) English lyrics: Kanon Believe Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Theme from Vocalise (Interlude) Futari Composition: Saint-Preux Gloria Tenderly Composition/lyrics: Kanon Can't Help Falling in Love Luigi Creatore/George David Weiss/Hugo Peretti Arranger: Kanon Daiya Mondo Composition/lyrics: Kanon SHINE Lullabye (Good Night My Angel)
Sanctuary Released on November 28, 2007, catalogue number is SICL-173.
Brand New Breeze (based on Elgar's Salut d'Amour The Power Blue (based on Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Kokoro (album mix) (based on Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 (Beethoven) Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Subete Composition/lyrics: Kanon Tsuki (based on Debussy's Clair De Lune Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon A Parting Blessing (Interlude) (Traditional) My Destiny (based on Rachmanioff's Vocalise Good Old Days Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Serenade (album mix) (based on Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings (Tchaikovsky) Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon If Ye Love Me Composer: Thomas Tallis As One Composition/lyrics: Kanon Life Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon
Precious This album was released on November 18, 2007, and the catalogue number is SICL-173
Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon
Composition/lyrics: Kanon Let It Snow featuring WISE Composer: Kanon Lyricist: Kanon, WISE Brand New Breeze featuring Stella Quintet Players Side Composition/lyrics: Kanon You Raise Me Up Carry On Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Nella Fantasia Composer: Ennio Morricone Lyricist: Chiara Ferrau Arranger: Kanon Time To Say Goodbye Composer: Francesco Sartori Lyricist: Lucio Quarantotto/English lyrics: Frank Peterson
Lyricist: Kanon O Come All ye faithful (traditional) Kiseki Song of Love featuring Stella Quintet Players Side Composition/lyrics: Kanon Christmas Medley
A New Story This album was released on April 27, 2011. Collaboration album release from Kanon and Nobuo Uematsu ("Final Fantasy" series). Features tracks from "Final Fantasy" series. The catalogue number is SICL-239
Prelude Final Fantasy Main Theme You Are The Light Eyes On Me (Final Fantasy Series) Far Away Guin Saga Medley Taisetsu na Koto Nakama Wo Motomete Shalom Blessed by the Light Wings to Fly (remix version) Toberu Mono
Mini albums
Alleluia -Piano and Voice- This album was released on July 2, 2003. It was her debut album. The singer herself did all songs in this album, its composition and lyrics, except for Alleluia (Arranged version). The catalogue number is MSCV-2007
Alleluia By being yourself Your Love Saigo Alleluia (Arranged version)
Destiny Released on October 26, 2005, catalogue number is SICL-124
Destiny Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Sanctus Composition/arrangement/lyrics: Kanon Lascia ch'io pianga (English Hymn version) Composer: G.F Handel Arranger: Kanon Gloria (English version) Composition/lyrics: Kanon My Destiny SHINE -tranquilizer mix- remixed by TOMISIRO
My Road~ Songs for Guin Saga Released on August 26, 2009. The album contained songs for an anime : Guin Saga
Saga~This is My Road Mariusu no Uta(マリウスの歌) Saga~This is My Road (Orgel Version) Where'er you go~Cavalleria Rustican Todokanu Omoi~Moonlight(届かぬ想い～Moonlight) Where'er you go~Cavalleria Rusticana (Orgel Version) Saga~This is My Road (English Version)
Notes Kiseki Song of Love was chosen as J-WAVE GOOD MORNING TOKYO's Olympic theme. The single Kokoro is the campaign song for the movie, Duelist My Destiny is the third ending for the anime series, Angel Heart and her other single, Gloria/Serenade is the insert song for the same series as well. Brand New Breeze became the opening theme for the anime series, Kin’iro no Corda ~primo passo~. Furthermore, she guest starred in episode 24 as herself. As One, one of the tracks in her album, Sanctuary is the theme song for NHK's program, Autumn's 3 Biggest Open Groove 2006. has been featured in the Japanese broadcast of the TV drama series, Brothers and Sisters. Wings to Fly ~ Tsubasa o Kudasai is an insert song for the NHK TV novel, Chiri to Techin.
Appearances
TV NHK Studio Park Kara Konnichiwa – March 19, 2008
TV animation Kin'iro no Corda ~primo passo~ – Guest starred as herself Guin Saga Ending Song – This is my Road
Live Final Fantasy Distant World's Concert Guest Vocalist in Sydney, Singing Suteki Da Ne and Distant Worlds ~ April 15, 2011, and April 16, 2011.
References
External links Kanon's Production Official Website Kanon @ Sony Music Japan Online
tl:Kanon