MARO KAWABATA

• From Kyoto, Japan.
• At age 12, saw Bill Monroe on Japanese TV.
• Learned guitar and formed “The Riverside Brothers” with his brother Takaharu.
• “Riverside” is a direct English translation of Kawataba.
• 1997, toured with Randy Howard, Don Rigsby, Missy Raines and Kaz Inaba as “The International Band.”
• 2001, released first solo album, “Carolina Blue.”
• 2007, released second solo project called “Rippling Water.”
• 2010, released third solo project “Sunset Drive.”
• 2013, died at the age of 51.