Taro Hakase

Taro Hakase is a Japanese crossover violinist, composer, and record label founder, who moves between the worlds of popular and classical music. ∙ In 1990, while attending Tokyo University of the Arts, Hakase and two classmates formed the classical trio Kryzler & Kompany, taking their name from the violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler. ∙ Kryzler & Kompany backed Canadian pop superstar Céline Dion on her 1995 Japanese chart-topping hit, “To Love You More.” ∙ In 2002, Hakase founded the label HATS, which releases not only his own recordings but also those by pianist Yukie Nishimura and jazz fusion band Casiopea. ∙ He collaborated with pop star Ariana Grande on a 2014 Japanese release of her song “Baby I,” which was featured as the closing theme for the anime TV series GO-GO Tamagotchi!.