Kunihiko Komori is an active performer in and outside of Japan, who has successfully placed marimba along the tradition of the mainstream western music, programming only the literature composed exclusively for the instrument. All over the world, he has premiered works written for marimba in solo, chamber, and concerto settings. In 2004, Mr. Komori was invited to Wittener Tage fur neue Kammermusik 2004, and at WDR-Funkhaus Koln and Internationale Ferienkurse fur Nue Musik in Darmstadt for the premiere performances composed by Toshio Hosokawa, and in Japan he also world premiered Illusion of the Forest for marimba and string orchestra by Hiroyuki Ito at Takefu International Music Festival where he regularly appears especially for contemporary composers portrait concerts such as Roger Reynolds. Mr. Komori was the first marimbist selected to perform at the Tokyo Opera City for its B to C (Bach to Contemporary) Recital Series and has participated in the second World Marimba Festival, Osaka, as a guest recitalist. His performance of Toshio Hosokawa Reminiscence can be heard in a CD released by Fontec titled Sound Space IX - Works of Toshio Hosokawa . Mr. Komori frequently appears in master classes in and outside of Japan, giving lectures not only to percussionists but to composers as well, in order to promote the understanding of modern music for marimba. The highlights of upcoming season include the world-premiere concert dedicated to him by the composers association First Performance in New York, United States and releasing his first solo CD by Fontec.

Mr. Komori has already won many awards, including the first prize in the Crane New Music Festival competition and the Individual Artist Award in Instrumental Performance from the Maryland State Arts Council and was selected as one of marimbists from across the world to perform at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2000. Mr. Komori received Bachelors degree from Eastman School of Music with the Performer s Certificate. Mr. Komori also completed his Master's degree and Graduate Performance Diploma program at Peabody Conservatory of Music of Johns Hopkins University.

Kunihiko Komori is a performing artist for Vic Firth Inc. and Pearl Corporation and performs on an Adams marimba exclusively.