George and Noriko

George and Noriko

George and Noriko break all the rules. The duo brings something unique, something unexpected.

Known as the Japanese Blues Cowboy and the Tsugaru shamisen player, they have been kicking up a storm wherever they play.  George’s lightning fast blues licks & growling harmonica enhanced by Noriko’s percussive sounds of the traditional Shamisen (Japanese banjo) has morphed into a kind of bluegrass hard country blues with a Japanese twist.
George & Noriko’s banter & easy audience interaction makes them a popular choice with audiences. George is surrounded by a host of drum pedals, seated and thumping his lap steel guitar and alternating between vocals and harmonica, with Noriko bending into the sound with her shamisen and sharing vocal duties, they are an arresting sight and their sound is something you haven’t heard before!