As part of our ‘Culture of Asia’ Festival – A Day in Japan, the East-West Cultural Centre is proud to present an extraordinary musical and visual performance.
The Orchestra that Makes Bamboo Sing
On Saturday 23 May 2026, at the Château de Saint-Germain, you were transported by the vibrant sounds of the Pousses du Bamboo Orchestra, a unique ensemble where nature becomes music.
Makoto Yabuki: The Bamboo Magician
It all began in Japan, where Makoto Yabuki, a musician, composer and instrument maker, developed a passion for the natural resonance of bamboo.
After founding the first Bamboo Orchestra in Tokyo, he moved to Marseille, France, in 1994. It was there that he rebuilt his incredible collection of instruments using bamboo from the famous Anduze Bamboo Grove.
His work is a quest for raw, authentic sounds. He invented new instruments, such as the Také-Marimba, a bamboo xylophone with a magical sound, to make up for the lack of traditional percussion instruments made from this material in Japan.
« Les Pousses »: A human and intergenerational adventure
Founded in 1999 in Marseille, « Les Pousses » are much more than just a band. This group brings together musicians of all ages, from 8 to 108, around a shared project: playing the bamboo flute together.
This course brings together people from all over the world, families and friends who are innovating together in the way they make music. Under the watchful guidance of Makoto Yabuki, these budding musicians make and play their own instruments, creating a harmony that transcends borders.
A musical journey blending strength and gentleness
The music of Les Pousses is a complete sensory experience, both auditory and visual.
Their original repertoire, composed especially for these instruments, alternates between:
- Gentle, poetic melodies that evoke nature
- Powerful, punchy beats that take your breath away
On stage, you’ll discover a forest of extraordinary instruments: the angklungs (originally from Indonesia), the crisp-sounding slittams, the maouis, and the impressive taiko drums.
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