From Nikko to Moka: A Grand Convergence of 1,200 Heartbeats in East-meets-West Music, Tochigi Future Ambassador Kohei Ohno's Birthday Commemoration 'Blue Nostalgia Live' Announced

The Blue Nostalgia Executive Committee (Executive Chairman: Kohei Ohno) will hold 'Blue Nostalgia Live: Kohemaru Birthday Festival' on August 11, 2026 (Tuesday/Holiday) at the Main Hall of KOBELCO Moka Ichigo Hall (Moka City Hall). The concert commemorates the birthday of pianist Kohei Ohno (nickname: Kohemaru), who serves as a Tochigi Future Ambassador. The 1,200-seat hall will host a unique East-meets-West stage blending piano, shakuhachi, ginei, and a full band. Tickets for this performance went on sale on May 25, 2026, via the dedicated website. ■ Background: Transforming Regional Culture into the Next Generation's 'Pride' Following the 'Blue Nostalgia Festival,' this concert marks the first large-scale performance for the unit in a 1,200-seat hall, expressing Kohei Ohno's musical trajectory and the new Japanese culture envisioned by the unit 'Blue Nostalgia.' In regional cities facing a declining birthrate and aging population, the concert aims to redefine the 'value of the hometown' through music and create a venue to nurture pride in local culture across generations. The unique musical experience will cross genres from classical and jazz to Showa-era songs, centered on piano fused with traditional arts such as shakuhachi and ginei. ■ Highlights ◉ Completion of 'East-meets-West' through an Impressive Full Band Ensemble A special ensemble featuring piano, shakuhachi, ginei, and vocals, joined by bass, drums, guitar, saxophone, and percussion. The performance will demonstrate an unprecedented scale where stillness and dynamism intersect. ◉ The Story of Kohei Ohno's 'Birthday Festival' The performance features special direction detailing the roots and future vision of Ohno, who acts as a 'Tochigi Future Ambassador' appointed by the prefecture for cultural and tourism promotion. It is a stage of gratitude, returning favor to his hometown, Tochigi, the origin of his musical activities. ◉ A Co-creation Experience for 1,200 People Aiming for a 'concert that remains in memory' for the audience, inheriting the experience of 'people connecting with people' cultivated at the Blue Nostalgia Festival, with the unity unique to a large-scale hall. 【Message from Kohei Ohno, Executive Chairman of Blue Nostalgia】 I planned this concert with a strong desire to pass on the Japanese traditional arts of shakuhachi and ginei to the next generation. The fusion of ginei and piano, in particular, is an innovative attempt to connect traditional performing arts with Western music. It is also a stage of gratitude to my hometown, Tochigi, where my musical activities began. I aim to broadcast the potential of a new music where tradition and innovation intersect from Tochigi, delivering an unforgettable moment for everyone who visits. ■ Event Overview - Name: Blue Nostalgia Live: Kohemaru Birthday Festival - Date/Time: August 11, 2026 (Tuesday/Holiday) 13:00 (Doors open at 12:00) - Venue: KOBELCO Moka Ichigo Hall (Main Hall) - Cast: Kohei Ohno (Piano/Vocals), Kenji Maeda (Shakuhachi/Ginei/Vocals), Atsushi Katano (Bass/Keyboard), Kazukazu Seki (Drums), Toshimichi Yoshii (Guitar), Tomo Tanaka (Bass), Kazunori Kochio (Saxophone), Wataru Toyoshima (Percussion) - Supported by: Utsunomiya Junior College Department of Music - Tickets (tax included): - VIP Seat: 10,000 yen (Reserved seat, includes 1st single (CD) and invitation to the after-party) - Reservable Seat: 6,000 yen (First-come basis, seat selection available) - General Seat: 4,000 yen (Day-of: 4,500 yen) - Tickets on sale from: May 25, 2026, via the dedicated website - Inquiries: Blue Nostalgia Executive Committee (bluenostalgia0213@gmail.com / 080-4226-2627)