Takashi Sasaki

Casiopea
Origin	Tokyo, Japan
Genres	Jazz fusion, funk
Years active	1976–2006, 2012–present
Associated acts	Jimsaku, Ottottrio, T-Square
Website	www.casiopea.co.jp
Members	Issei Noro Yoshihiro Naruse Kiyomi Otaka Akira Jimbo (Special Support)
Past members	Tetsuo Sakurai Takashi Sasaki Masaaki Hiyama Noriaki Kumagai Hidehiko Koike Minoru Mukaiya

Casiopea (カシオペア, Kashiopea, derived from the name of the constellation Cassiopeia), also known today as Casiopea 3rd, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki joined the group, leaving Hidehiko out of the band. The group debuted with the self-titled album Casiopea in 1979, featuring Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker and David Sanborn as guest musicians. In 1980, Sasaki was replaced by Akira Jimbo. Casiopea has released over 45 albums to date in Japan, and some of them overseas.

Some of Casiopea's most famous tracks include "Asayake", "Galactic Funk" and "Eyes of the Mind".

The first record label to sign them was Alfa Records in 1979 releasing their first album, Casiopea.

Galactic Funk first featured in their 1981 album Cross Point, which had around 10 different versions recorded both live and in studio.

The album Eyes of the Mind was released in the United States in 1981. They then released the album Mint Jams in 1982, followed by 4x4 the same year, which was a collaborative album with Lee Ritenour, Harvey Mason, Nathan East and Don Grusin. Their first overseas concert was held in the United Kingdom in 1983. Since them the group has toured Europe, South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia.

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