An ambitious project to create a world kids band, uniting some of the most outstanding musically talented kids from around the world, has enthralled audiences across Japan.

The ‘Super Kids’ band met for the first time in Tokyo in September and had less than 5 days to put together a live show for Japan’s #1 TV show Unbelievable! The show, which was directed by Japan’s most renowned artistic producer Tsunku, was watched by a staggering 9.4% of the Japanese population.

Demonstrating maturity beyond their years, these four dedicated professionals practised for 7 hours a day to create their awesome show, which aired on September 25 across Japan. Equally amazing as the calibre of their performance was the interaction and camaraderie created between the four mini maestros. Music provided the basis for their communication; their different backgrounds, cultures and languages melting away in the rehearsal studio, during their adventures on the streets of Tokyo and live on stage.

Jam sessions provided opportunities for the ‘Super Kids’ to both teach and learn from each other. The afro-reggae grooves of 9 year old Australian bass guitarist Yannick Koffi delighted Kento, the 11 year old Japanese heavy metal drummer who had never heard of reggae before. Lucciano Pizzichini, the 8 year old Argentine guitarist inspired them all with his sophisticated improvisation and his natural entertainers quality. The diva of the band, 14 year old winner of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Bianca Ryan, took the group to another level with her vocal talent and professionalism.

Off the job, these world-class musicians once again became kids like any other, running around like mad, playing cards and video games and refusing to eat vegetables! A trip to a Tokyo sushi house brought them all to tears of laughter as Kento urged Lucciano to eat wasabi for the first time. Accepting the challenge without a second thought, only his little face turning bright red betrayed him, much to the delight of the rest of the crew.

Walking the night streets of Tokyo one evening, the band hijacked the instruments of some bemused street performers. Both the bass and guitar reached the ground around the necks of the ‘Super Kids’. Some makeshift straps and a missing guitar string didn’t hinder their impromptu performance which drew a huge crowd in a manner of minutes.

After a week together, the Super Kids reluctantly parted to return to their respective corners of the globe, each enlivened and inspired by their new friends and awesome experience in Japan. Yannick Koffi has come home to Australia playing ‘Samba para ti’ on the guitar, improvising on his bass, and with a dream to reunite the ‘Super Kids’ for a concert, wherever in the world that might be. In the words of his new friend Lucciano, ‘I love playing with Yannick, he is an incredible player, all the blues, jazz and rock. I’ve never seen anyone playing like that.....and he’s just a kid.’ Back