Chikuzen Sato

Japanese singer Takeyoshi Sato, aka Chikuzen Sato, began his musical career in high school when he formed a band with his childhood friend Tomohiko Nishimura, inspired by the Western music of Billy Joel, Queen and The Carpenters. After completing their education, Sato and Nishimura formed 514 but this group was short-lived, disbanding after just one year. Retaining some of 514's personnel, Sing Like Talking was formed in 1986. They released 14 albums between their formation and 2018, two of which - 'Encounter' (1993) and 'Togetherness' (1994) - reached number one on the Oricon Albums Chart.

Since 1994's 'Togetherness' Sato has released solo work including the albums 'Alive and Kickin'' (2000), 'Introducing Cross Your Fingers' (2003) and 'Okra' (2005) with festive offering 'Your Christmas Day' in 2013. He performed alongside the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra in a Billboard Classics concert in 2016.