Immortal Brass Eternally (IBE)
Formed in the spring of 2008. With the philosophy of “spreading and communicating
the appeal of British-style brass bands and making this ensemble more mainstream in
Japan,” they are active mainly in Osaka and Hyogo.
They are dedicated to making British-style brass bands more accessible to a wider
audience through initiatives such as organising self-produced concerts, participating in
local events, nurturing the next generation, planning experience sessions, and even
entering overseas competitions.
While pursuing a traditional brass sound, they are also conscious of creating music that
fuly brings out the strengths of the songs and the members, and they continue to
passionately chalenge themselves every day to express music that only IBE can create.
In October 2022, Kazuyuki Kouno, who is the former Eb Bass player in the world’s
ranked No.1 brass band at the time, The Cory Band, was appointed principal conductor.
In July 2024, they made their debut in Japan at the New Zealand National Brass Band
Championships, where they achieved 4th place in the highest section, A Grade.
In 2026, at the World Music Competition (WMC) held in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, they
became the first Asian band ever to compete in the highest class of the brass band
concert division. Awarding the 9th-place title “Gold,” they took a new step in the history
of Japanese brass bands.
Akito Iwai : Principal Eb Bass
Gear: Mercer & Barker MB3
Besson Be981 "Sovereign " Eb tuba
Akito Iwai is an Eb Bass soloist and a founding member of Immortal Brass Eternaly
(IBE), having been with the ensemble since its foundation in 2008. He won 1st place in
the Open Eb Bass Solo competition in New Zealand in 2011, and has achieved several
other competition placings over the years.
He particularly likes the balance between the MB3’s very rounded rim and heavy body.
It gives him good intonation and a rich, stable sound, while stil alowing him to blend
naturaly with the band.
As a soloist, he has played a central role in shaping IBE’s sound and musical direction
as the ensemble has taken on international competitions.
Away from music, he is a keen motorcyclist and loves traveling by bike, discovering
new roads and places along the way.
Kenta Araya: Eb Bass
Gear: Mercer & Barker MB3
Besson BE981 "Sovereign" Eb Tuba
Kenta Araya began playing the tuba at the age of 12. He started playing in British-style
brass bands in 2020, and over the years, he has owned and traded more than a dozen
tubas. He joined the IBE in 2022.
Outside of music, Kenta works in the construction industry. His favourite foods are
horse meat sashimi (Basashi) and hamburgers.
Kengo Matsushima: BBb Bass & Eb Bass
Gear: Mercer & Barker MB5
Besson BE994 "Sovereign" BBb tuba
Mercer & Barker MB4W
Besson BE981 "Sovereign" EEb tuba
Kengo Matsushima has been a member of IBE since 2024.
He started playing the tuba in the wind band upon entering junior high school.
Graduated from Osaka Colege of Music, studying tuba under Shigeo Takesada and
chamber music under Shigekazu Ikeda and Hiromasa Kimura.
Now, he works as a freelance tuba player and musician.
Participated in the 2024 New Zealand National Brass Band Championship.He won third
place in the open BB♭Bass solo competition.
He is also dedicated to solo performances, chamber music, conducting and music
education.
・2023-2024 Artist of"Sanda City General Cultural Centre (Satonone Hal)"
・Member of "Brass Quintet Acoustic Jukebox"
・Music Director of Youth wind orchestra"Brass Code MIKAGE"
He is caled Rainbringer by comrades.
Reichi Kajiwara: BBb Bass
Gear: Mercer & Barker MB5 “Cattanach”, Besson 700 BBb Tuba
Reichi Kajiwara̶caled simply as “Kaji” by band members ̶began playing the tuba at
age 10 with the Nishiwaki Elementary School Orchestra. He studied tuba under Hiroshi
Nakachi and has participated in masterclasses led by Sérgio Carolino. At age 18, Kaji
joined Immortal Brass Eternaly as 1st Bb Bass.
In addition to his playing career, Kaji has an opportunity to conduct. Kaji serves as
conductor for Orchestra Prima Volta̶earning acclaim for performances of Beethoven’sSymphony No. 7 and Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances̶and frequently directs large
euphonium and tuba ensembles.
Academicaly, Kaji graduated from the National Institute of Technology, Akashi Colege,
with a focus on civil engineering, and is currently studying urban planning and
environmental human science at the University of Hyogo. In his spare time, Kaji keeps
studying languages, with a keen focus on English.
Daiki Nishiyama : BBb Bass
Gear: Mercer & Barker MB6 "Goliath"
Besson BE994 "Sovereign" BBb Tuba
Daiki Nishiyama joined the IBE in 2018. He is the vice president of IBE.
He began playing the tuba at the age of 12.
For the first six years, He played in a school band in the wind ensemble. When he was
18, He discovered the "destined" brass band and was so moved by its greatness that he
decided to pursue a career in the brass band.
In addition to brass band performances, he actively performs solo and in ensembles,
and he also holds an independent concert once a year. When playing solo, he uses the
Mercer & Barker MBUZ5 "Lone Star" and Melton 2250.
He studies tuba with Tatsuki Yoshino and Noroyoshi Murakami.
He works as a teacher at a vocational school, and his family consists of his wife, a tuba
player, and their young children.
