There is no way to pigeon-hole Toshi Onizuka’s guitar playing. He moves from bossa nova to jazz to Spanish guitar with great fluidity and ease. He can play with that percussive flamenco punch but the melody is never sacrificed in his playing. Even at his punchiest, Toshi keeps it close to his heart.

His song selection and track arrangement tells a story and Toshi's  musicianship and from all the contributors makes it a tale worth hearing. 

1 - When You Passed By (composed by Toshi Onizuka) Dave Captein on bass, Al Martin on percussion, Toshi on guitars. The song opens with a slick slide guitar. There is nice interplay between the Spanish guitar and the slide like the back and forth between the watcher and the watched in a pass-by
encounter. The slide gives a playful feeling of some guy’s tongue hanging out as he watches the object of his attention go by.

2 - El Chipiron De Triana (composed by Toshi and Matias Trejo - lyrics) Trejo provides the Rap Andaluz in a lusty, gravelly voice. Al Criado’s bass is a cool underpinning of the piece. Toshi’s guitar is added percussion to the throbbing pulse of the work. This is fun and playful stuff!

3 – Let Me Think (composed by Toshi) Damian Erskine, bass and Al Martin, congas. There is a beautiful, daydreaming feeling. There are some sweet chord changes here and the movement within the song is inspiring and uplifting. Erskine and Martin provide understated bass and rhythm which enhances the piece splendidly.

4 – Espresso (composed by Toshi) Recorded at Toshi’s house with Reinhardt Melz (drums) and Victor Little (bass). The sounds of the coffee beans being scooped and ground followed by the pouring of the coffee and the spoon rattling in the cup set the rhythm for the opening of the song. This is the first appearance of Reinhardt on the album who sets a cool groove punctuated by Little’s punchy bass line. Toshi also trades percussive licks with Reinhardt during Little’s swift bass solo. Toshi pulls the piece back into a percussive melody like few can.   

5 – Wave (composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim) Toshi solos on this one. There is a subtle eight note nod to The Champs’ Tequila in the middle of this Jobim classic; the man who practically invented bossa nova. The sound of flowing water provides the backdrop. The song fades out to Smoke on the Water. From Jobim to the Champs to Deep Purple! What a ride.

6 – Pipeline (composed by Bob Spickard and Brian Carmen) Ryan Stabach (drums) and Toshi (guitar and bass). Pipeline
become a bit of a surf rock classic. The tune has been covered by Lawrence Welk, The Ventures, Agent Orange, Dick Dale, Anthrax, Bad Manners, and Johnny Thunders. Toshi roars through the song with the greater speed than even Dick Dale but stills colors the piece in his own unique sound. It is the most fun track on the CD. It may not be my favorite track, but the most fun. In case you don't remember the song, below is the link for The Chantay's original version. Try not to get distracted by the surfing videos.

7 – Difficult Flower (composed by Toshi) with Damian and Reinhardt as the coolest rhythm section you would ever hope to find. While the rhythm section keeps the solid backing, the front work on Toshi’s guitar is complex but alternating between grace and fire; legato then staccato. The melody line is memorable.

8 – Gentle Rain (composed by Luiz Banfa) Toshi plays it all: guitar, bass, shaker, cajon and frying pan. Banfa’s classic has found fresh breath under Toshi’s playing. The original had honestly become a bit dated and sounded like a 60’s movie soundtrack. Oh, wait…it was a 60’s movie soundtrack! Toshi brings it right to the present and gives it his own heart and touch.

9 – Song for Fighter (composed by Toshi) solo guitar. Shortly after the March 11, 2011 disaster in Northern Japan. His dedication is to “everyone who follow a thorny path.” This is my favorite track of the album. It is not a cheer or an encouragement but a consolation. There are moments of utter heartbreak followed by moments of hope. The song fades on a sad but optimistic note.

10 – Bitter Smile (composed by Toshi, Lyrics by Tracey Harris) Tracey Harris is the vocalist with Farnell Newton on Flugelhorn. Dave Captein on bass, Al Martin on percussion, and Toshi on guitars. Tracey’s vocals have a Basia quality. As always, Farnell
Newton provides an excellent horn insertion. Toshi’s guitar is as quick and fleeting as a bitter smile. The vocal harmonies are rich against Toshi’s aggressive guitar. This is a surprisingly addictive song.

11 – Tu Lo Sbias (composed by Toshi) Jon Hughes on bass with Israel Annoh on congas and bongos. Israel Annoh is the great drummer from Ghana and Jon Hughes provides an even and melodic bass. Jon is a subtle player and a gentleman. Annoh and
Hughes allow a lot of room for Toshi to explore beautifully. Such rich melody and warmth.

12 – When You Passed By / Sunset Beach (composed by Toshi). This reprise is with acoustic guitar instead of the slide. The difference between the opening version and this closing version is the difference between attraction and attainment. It is no
longer the wild speculation but satisfying realization with all the moments that have gone between. It is almost a remembrance of that first sight, looking back to the first attraction after years of life together. The recorded wave sounds of Sunset Beach provide a welcoming backdrop to the emotions of the sweet melody.

Toshi Onizuka cites his influences as Al DiMeola, Paco de Lucia and Django Rhinehart but he is not limited by mere impersonation. Toshi follows his own sound and creates that sound with every melody and phrase that issues from his guitar.

This is a fulfilling album.


Toshi's CD can be purchased at CDBaby here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toshionizuka2 or at any of his live performances.

We walk into the Paragon as we now do every Sunday at 4 pm to see Toshi Onizuka's Trio. We are always delighted to see Toshi's big smile and Reinhardt Melz behind the drum kit smiling brightly. This Sunday, however, gave a huge surprise as we walked in to see Jarrod Lawson behind his keyboard on the stage.

Only 16 hours before, we had seen Jarrod performing with SoulMates as the special guests for Robert Glasper Experiment at the Star Theater in Portland. At the same time, Reinhardt had been performing with the Bobby Torres Ensemble at Jimmy Mak's (causing Chris Matthews to sit in for him with SoulMates) and Toshi was at his other regular gig. Now the three were sitting together ready to regale.

As I have said before, Reinhardt Melz has shown that he can play any style and play it effectively. From the Afro-Cuban and jazz rhythms used in SoulMates, to the Latin Jazz with Bobby Torres Ensemble to the Pop, Rock and R&B stylings of Gino Vanelli; Reinhardt is master of it all.

Toshi Onizuka is a brilliant guitarist of flamenco fame but takes that influence to create truly unique impressions of bossa nova, samba, jazz and more jazz that is not heard anywhere else. Inspired by Paco de Lucia and Jay "Bird" Koder, Toshi strikes out in new directions and creates music that is energetic (like de Lucia) and emotional (like Koder).

Enter Jarrod Lawson. Jarrod has been bandmates with Reinhardt Melz and Jay "Bird" Koder in SoulMates. He has played with Joey Porter's Tribute to Stevie Wonder and with Liv Warfield. What is usually showcased with Jarrod is his vocal ability and why not? He has been described with phrases like "everything he touches turns to soul" and, as Jay "Bird" says, Jarrod is "the man made of soul."

But Sunday afternoon at the Paragon, however, saw no microphone in front of Jarrod. His keyboard skills have always been overlooked because of his vocal talent and I am as guilty as anyone for this unintended slight.

His keyboard skills are amazing. SoulMates use no bass player because Jarrod supplies the kicking bass with his left hand often leaving audiences to ask "Where is the bass player?" Someone once shouted from the audience, "Where is the bass coming from?" Jarrod smiled and raised his left hand in response. 

He has played blues and soul and has played them well but this was our chance to see Jarrod's keyboard work stand on its own without the delightful distraction of his vocals. I'll admit, I was hopefully optimistic and... I was not disappointed. He was adaptive to music he had not rehearsed or even heard before. They performed standards together such as Gentle Rain and Girl from Ipanema but it was in the performance of Toshi's original Light in Shade that Jarrod's adaptability and improvisation really showed itself.

In Gentle Rain, Toshi faded out the song to Deep Purple's Smoke on the Water and Jarrod didn't miss a beat. He caught on fast that this was flying by the seat of the pants. As Redinhardt played an exquisite drum solo, Toshi accompanied with the flemenco hand-clap and Jarrod joined right in with a syncopated clap. He must have been feeling right at home because he made each transition with ease and apparent enjoyment.

Another part of the fun on Sunday afternoon was the release of Toshi Onizuka's new CD When You Passed By. Joining Toshi on the CD is Portland great Damian Erskine on bass and none other than the great Reinhardt Melz along with the amazing Israel Annoh on percussion, Farnell Newton on the flugelhorn and several others, including the talented Jon Hughes on bass.

The CD is Toshi's follow-up to his 2008 release Voy Con Fusion.
This and Toshi's new CD can be purchased wherever he is appearing or it can be purchased for download or the physical CD at CDBaby through the following link:
http://www.cdbaby.com/Search/b25penVrYQ%3d%3d/0

All of this set for a joyful and heart-warming afternoon and evening at the Paragon Restaurant. After the performance, members of the audience were treated to conversation and laughter with the musicians as everyone enjoyed the Paragon's warm hospitality and the best calimari in town.  And don't forget the tiramisu.