Sawako Kano is a drummer and handpan player based primarily in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
She began playing drums in a school marching band as a child and later played drums in numerous bands.
She took up the handpan in 2020 and has performed as a handpan player with “Tokimeki Trio” and “Sawachiko.”
She has released the album “Kibakotetsu,” recorded using the handpan and tang drum.
She continues to perform as a drummer with “Kobune” and “kobukan” (Kobune + Kanji Nakao).
This album, “Spinning,” is a recording of a live performance held at cafe tohka on April 20, 2025.
It captures the open acoustics and peaceful atmosphere of the café, located in a quiet residential neighborhood.
The sound, which he describes as “human-powered techno-flavored,” is acoustic yet occasionally reveals moments reminiscent of natural sounds, as if from an analog synthesizer.
Although the handpan has a limited range, the noise components of the attack, rich overtones, and the rhythmic sense of an exceptional drummer combine to construct a complex sonic world.
Combined with the acoustics of the minimalist café space, it evokes the sound of a suikinkutsu (Japanese water stone).
Mastering was handled by Yousei Suzuki,
and the jacket design was created by ann ihsa.
credits
released August 7, 2026
Handpan - Sawako Kano
Mastering - Yousei Suzuki
the cover art - ann ihsa
Yasmin Williams makes her Nonesuch debut with a record introducing vocals to her beautiful fingerstyle guitar music. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 30, 2024