Toshi Onizuka
As a teenager, Toshi Onizuka was inspired by western guitarists like Al Dimeola and Paco de Lucia. He began to study on his own and was soon consumed with the music of the guitar. Born in Tokyo, Toshi soon realized that he could not follow the sound in his head without leaving Japan and going to the place where that music was played as part of the culture.
In 1993, Toshi left Japan for Seville, Spain where he would learn and practice and develop his own style and sound. He remained in Seville for over five years and absorbed the music of Spain, travelling to distant parts of Spain and even to Morocco. For two years, he performed and toured with Pata Negra, an internationally renowned Flamenco-fusion group. The captivating rhythms of his playing can be traced to these roots.
His fisrt CD, entitled Toshi, was released in 1997. Toshi himself composed and produced the songs on the CD, while being joined by musicians from Spain and Brazil. In Toshi's later CDs, the sound of Brazilian samba and bossa nova are clearly heard. He has truly become a "fusion" artist.
In 1993, Toshi left Japan for Seville, Spain where he would learn and practice and develop his own style and sound. He remained in Seville for over five years and absorbed the music of Spain, travelling to distant parts of Spain and even to Morocco. For two years, he performed and toured with Pata Negra, an internationally renowned Flamenco-fusion group. The captivating rhythms of his playing can be traced to these roots.
His fisrt CD, entitled Toshi, was released in 1997. Toshi himself composed and produced the songs on the CD, while being joined by musicians from Spain and Brazil. In Toshi's later CDs, the sound of Brazilian samba and bossa nova are clearly heard. He has truly become a "fusion" artist.
Toshi now makes his home in Portland, Oregon. His association with Portland's great musicians has expanded his play and his opportunity to further pursue the sound in his head. He has recorded with singer Gino Vanelli and with fusion pianist Mike Prigodich. He has been featured in many Oregon Music and Arts festivals and has appeared on numerous television and radio specials.
Toshi's second solo CD, Voy Con Fusión, was released in September 2008. This was a superb example of his fusion of flamenco, jazz, rock, and even hip hop. His third solo CD was entitled When You Passed By and was released in March of 2012. Both of these magnificent recordings featured contributions from Portland's bullpen of great musicians including drummer Reinhardt Melz, bassist Damian Erskine, percussionist Israel Annoh, vocalist Tracey Harris, bassist Jon Hughes and so many others.
Toshi currently performs at various venues across Portland with the artists mentioned above. One of Portland's hardest-working musicians, he plays almost every evening of the week.
Toshi defies categories. "Fusion" remains the best, most accurate, description of his play but even this is found lacking when he breaks into a traditional piece such as Besame Mucho. Fusion, traditional Spanish, jazz, bossa nova or rock, Toshi plays them all with sublime musicianship and heart.
This is the main character of Toshi Onizuka's musicianship; it is his warm heart that provides the rhythm to his supreme performances.
Toshi's second solo CD, Voy Con Fusión, was released in September 2008. This was a superb example of his fusion of flamenco, jazz, rock, and even hip hop. His third solo CD was entitled When You Passed By and was released in March of 2012. Both of these magnificent recordings featured contributions from Portland's bullpen of great musicians including drummer Reinhardt Melz, bassist Damian Erskine, percussionist Israel Annoh, vocalist Tracey Harris, bassist Jon Hughes and so many others.
Toshi currently performs at various venues across Portland with the artists mentioned above. One of Portland's hardest-working musicians, he plays almost every evening of the week.
Toshi defies categories. "Fusion" remains the best, most accurate, description of his play but even this is found lacking when he breaks into a traditional piece such as Besame Mucho. Fusion, traditional Spanish, jazz, bossa nova or rock, Toshi plays them all with sublime musicianship and heart.
This is the main character of Toshi Onizuka's musicianship; it is his warm heart that provides the rhythm to his supreme performances.
RSS Feed
