1. T. M. HOFFMAN <> musician/scholar/activist of USA, Japan & India
Director, Indo-Japanese Music Exchange Association (established 1989)
tmhoffmus21@yahoo.com http://www.ijmea.com/
* Four decades in Asia (Japan 29 yrs, India 7, Sri Lanka 2, other) as student, performing artist,
scholar, professor, writer, translator, producer, NPO director, and activist for interdisciplinary and
cross-professional exchanges in Asia and beyond; honors graduate of four universities in three
nations; 20 yrs lecturer & professor in Japan, India & USA (ethnomusicology & related subjects)
* Publish, teach & sing in Japanese, Hindi & English languages, and perform Indian & Japanese
classical and original music; trained extensively under Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra (India/vocal),
Living National Treasure Yamaguchi Goro (Japan/shakuhachi), Grace Mundorf Myers (USA/piano),
other native masters (Indian sitar, tabla, Javanese gamelan, Korean music, Sri Lankan music)
* Visharad (5-year) degrees in Hindustani classical music in N India’s premier music college (1992);
in classical vocal (later introducing Japanese poetic texts in thumri & khyal forms); in flute, with
gov’t permission using Japanese shakuhachi (since 1992 officially an instrument of Indian music).
* American Institute of Indian Studies AIIS Senior Performing & Creative Artist Fellow 2006-2008:
R & D project “Asian Classical Crossover – Indian classical music on the Japanese koto” co-opted
with int’l artists & institutions including placement of kotos in three major Indian universities
*These ‘classical crossover’ applications are based on extensive research and trials, and
authenticated by performances in prestigious venues and broadcasts throughout Asia & in the West
(NCPA, IIC, Center for World Music, Delhi Univ, IITs, UCLA, Princeton U, London U, VOA, A.I.R, etc)
* Awards: U.P Chief Minister Trophy (India, 1987), East-West Center Associate (USA,1989-91),
Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan Deroy Award (2003), ‘Sangeet Acharya’ title (India, 2008) etc
US maestro enchants music lovers
S D Sharma Chandigarh, February 24, 2007
The US-born performer T M Hoffman amazed the crowd with his command over the Indian vocal and
instrumental music at a musical concert held at the Gov’t Museum auditorium as a part of the ongoing Rose
Festival. The event was organised by the Administration in association with the Kaifi Azmi Foundation.
After Tourism Director Vivek Atrey inaugurated the soiree, Hoffman commenced the concert with the vocal
delineation of raga Puriya Dhanashri, accompanying himself on 13-stringed Japanese musical instrument
Koto, doling out sargams to the perfect tabla by Anil Sharma. He then presented bhajans like “Ramso kara
preet re,” “Sharnagat Budhha kripal,” “Jaake piya Ram Vaidehi,” “Tathagat Budhha hai, singing” in Hindi
and Japanese, before playing a dhun on Koto. Tim Hoffman, while explaining the character of ragas and
tala patterns, displayed his versatility on a Japanese flute called Shakuchachi as he presented ragas
Bhupali, Durga, Jaijaivanti and Hansadhwani, and finally Pilu in ragamalika. His sawal jawab on flute and
Anil Sharma's tabla won applause.
Rajesh Kumar on Sarangi and Anil Sharma gave a tabla solo performance. Dr Neelam Paul and Rani Balbir
honoured the artistes. Dr I.D. Singh conducted the programme.
(sample review from among scores of public concerts and related events in India, 1987 – 2014)
