Joe Hisaishi was born in Nagano, Japan. His career as a solo artist began with the release of his first album Information in 1982, and has since released nearly 40 solo albums. From the early 1980s, Joe Hisaishi made a name for himself as a film music composer, working closely with anime director Hayao Miyazaki, for whom he composed ten film scores. He also gained international fame through his music for the films by Takeshi Kitano, and overall, was involved in the award-winning music production of over 80 films worldwide. Hisaishi received the Japanese Academy Award for Best Music seven times.
Joe Hisaishi is also in demand as a pianist and orchestra conductor. In July 2004, he took on the position of Principal Music Director of the New Japan Philharmonic World Dream Orchestra. Hisaishi has worked with a variety of artists including Philip Glass, David Lang and Mischa Maisky, as well as with notable orchestras such as the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra. He is Visiting Professor at Kunitachi College of Music, Composer in Residence with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor with the Japan Century Orchestra. In 2009 he was awarded the Medal of Honor with the Purple Ribbon, an award of merit from the Japanese government. His unique contribution to contemporary music and his continued creativity in musical pursuits are highly valued around the world.