1973年2月20日生まれ、新潟県出身。 日本唯一のヴォーカリスト＆フリューゲルホーンプレーヤー。 父親の影響でノンジャンルで音楽に親しみ、中学時代にブラスバンドで初めての楽器コルネットを手にする。 高校・大学はロック、ポップスのコピーバンドをしていたが、 たまたま、大学の学園祭でマイルス･デイビスの“IF I WERE A BELL”を吹いているのを ジャズドラマーが聴いていてライブハウスでのセッションに誘われる。 何度かのセッションでジャズに深く興味を覚える。 大学2年の時にオレゴン州に語学留学。 その時のルームメイトがジャズピアニストだったことで一緒にバンド活動を開始。 大学卒業後、ライブハウスで唄っているところをアメリカのラジオ･パーソナリティーがスカウト。 2000年1月アルバム“Everythig She Said”でSMEよりデビュー。 デビュー当初から注目を集め、その年の8月には早くもブルーノート東京に出演。 更にアルバムはアジア各国でもリリースされ11月には韓国ソウル大学の 建国大学内ニューミレニアムホールにて海外での初ライブを行った。 デビュー以来、海外公演を積極的に行い、2007年度は北京、上海、パリ、ベルギーでのライブを敢行。 2007年度 ｢Jazzy Shanghai Festival｣ ｢Paris Jazz Festival｣、 2008年度 ｢Hong Kong International Jazz Festival｣、 2009年度 ｢Jakarta International JAVA JAZZ Festival｣出演。 ジャズの枠を越えた幅広い音楽性からm-flo、平井 堅、Skoop On Somebody、今井美樹、Paris match、 クランボン、椎名純平、大黒摩季ｅｔｃ.のシングル、アルバムに作家･プレーヤーとして参加。 J-POP界にJazz Feelを注入する一翼を担う。 また、2004年〜2007年Four Roses(キリンビール)の媒体キャラクターに選ばれ、雑誌・交通媒体で展開。 In Japan "TOKU"is the only flugel horn player who is also well known as a jazz singer. He was born 1973 in Niigata where he started to play the flugel horn while in junior highschool. As a high school and college student he played pop music in a cover band. He was discovered by a jazz drummer who heard his play Miles Davis' "If I were a bell" at a college talent contest. He was later invited to a jam session where he became deeply inspired by jazz. In his third year of college he moved to the states to learn the language. While there he started a band with his room mate (who happened to be a jazz pianist) and thus started his career as a jazz musician. Upon graduating from college he started singing at a jazz club. There he was scouted by a DJ from local radio station which led to his first album "Everything She Said" on Sony Records in January 2001. In August 2001 he made his debut at the "Blue Note Tokyo". In January 2002 his 2nd album "Bewitching" was released as well as mini LP "Winds of Change" which contained two tracks written by Kyohei Tsutsumi. In June 2002 John Simon produced Toku's 3rd album "Chemistry of Love". He further established himself as a jazz singer throughout Japan by singing "You are so beautiful" for a Hitachi TV commercial and also "Do-Re-Mi" for Honda's Odyssey ad campaign. In January 2003 "TOKU" came out. This was released includes both instruments and vocal tracks which highlights his versatile flugel horn technique and sensual voice. In March 2004 "30" was released as well as all vacal tracks. In February 2006 "A Brand-New Beginning"was released. In November 2008 "Love Again" was recentry released. This New Album was recorded at Atlanta,GA with Super Musicians. Along the way he worked with other talents such as Ken Hirai,Skoop On Somebody, Paris Match,Miki Imai,Mariko Takahashi and m-flo. They are the Star Of J-POP |
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