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 Among the many Japanese jazz musicians living in New York City, Shinobu Ito best catches the atmosphere of this city. Creating innovative sounds in an impressive high-rise building named Manhattan Plaza, known as home to many musicians at West 43rd street in midtown. Just as bassist Yoshio Suzuki and guitarist Ryo Kawasaki have been creating their own musical experience on New York's spirit, Shinobu has spent a quarter of a century in this city, since August 1977. Not only has he deeply penetrated America's music scene but also has a great talent as a melody maker who has a unique identity reflecting his Japanese roots. He has a solid guitar technique and is able to play a wide range of music from classical to jazz to pops. It would not be a mistake to say that Shinobu Ito is one of most impressive artists in New York City, for his wide range of musical capacity and guitar technique. Holding his live performances in the last few years to a few special appearances. Resuming activities as composer/guitarist in New York, he also reunited with fellow musicians in Tokyo, Japan in 1991. Together they released a CD called "One life to live". This is a live recording at one of the most famous live clubs in Tokyo then, and still now called" Roppongi Pit-inn". Among the many legendary live performances at this club when fusion music was at it's peak, This live recording proves us as to be one of the best musical groups for it's unique quality. Shinobu Ito's haunting melodies, great compositions and arrangements bring out the best of this musical group, adding one more chapter to the "Roppongi Pit-inn" legend, in spite of it's being recorded 10 years ago. Shinobu Ito was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan on Jan 28, 1951.While a young boy, his father bought him a guitar and he devoted his childhood ambitions and effort to becoming a noted guitarist in the future. He became interested in jazz guitar when he listened to Wes Montgomery in his high school days. The respected guitar teacher, Ikuo Shiozaki gave him lessons while he was a member of the Tokai University jazz circle. He's got culture shock for American music and atmosphere while he was staying in Los Angeles for 6 months in 1975. It was then he decided to immigrate to America permanently. When he did return in 1975 to Japan, He joined The Yoshiko Kimura (Vocal) group, also resuming activities with top class musicians like Seiichi Nakamura, Shigeharu Mukai, Hidefumi Toki, Takao Uematsu etc. This recording was done with these musicians who he's known since he was lived in Japan. Back in 1977, he was chosen as one of top popular guitarists by Swing Journal magazine, he also played with Tete Montruex who was visiting at that time. Although he was expected to resume activities as one of leading guitarists on the Japanese jazz scene, he moved to New York City as he planned and has been here ever since. As soon as he reached New York City, the rumors about him spread to New York's whole music scene. As Yoshiaki Masuo achieved his fame by playing for Sonny Rollins, Shinobu Ito spent his schedule as a guitarist for a 10 piece band directed by Reggie Workman, Teruo Nakamura & his Rising Sun band, leader for all Japanese musicians. He was also called for many recordings & sessions and played with Ricky Ford (nicknamed" jazz wolf", He was a very popular rising star back then as Joshua Redman is today) and was also was living at Manhattan Plaza. He performed at Blue Note, 55Bar etc. He has been spending most of his time on his own compositions, since one of them was selected by Billboard magazine in a song contest in 1988. He believes playing in public provides musicians with more energy, and knows that live performances are the most important thing for jazz musicians. His first CD "Sailing Rolling" produced by Yoshio Suzuki demonstrated his abilities as a melody maker. You can find these songs included in this CD entitled "In love for keeps" "Minutos Para Rio" and "Far away". Shinobu Ito except “S.O.S” by Wes Montgomery wrote all of the music. Those compositions are very melodious and I wish I could add words to them; they are also great as jazz compositions. Incidentally, Shinobu Ito took this CD's beautiful night sight cover picture from his balcony at Manhattan Plaza. I feel jealous of him. I wonder what it would be like living here like this, Watching these sights everyday? I hear Shinobu Ito is now concentrating on his new compositions with a grand piano (He plays piano to compose) in his room at Manhattan Plaza. I would really expect his beautiful new compositions to reflect the full mood of Manhattan very soon. Tetsuya Yanagisawa Oct 2001  |
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Reprinted from Swing Journal / Nov 2001 Issue
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