Biography

Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Yoshi began to play jazz bass at age of 20. Over the next few years, he emerged as a sought-after accompanist, with regular appearances at jazz clubs in Tokyo. In 1996, he moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music, where he was given Outstanding Performer Award. After graduation, he was on the tour for two years with the National Tour Company of Fosse, a Tony Awarded musical show. His rhythm-section mate was Bobby Economou, former drummer of rock group Blood Sweat & Tears. Yoshi currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and plays and tours with various groups in the city. Appearance includes some of the major venues and well known club in the city such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Knitting Factory, &c.

Yoshi performed with Bruce Bartlett, George Benson, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Gary Burton, Big Apple Circus, Jimmy Cobb, Hal Crook, Dan Zanes and Friends, Barry Finnerty, Al Foster, George Garzone, Deborah Harry (Blondy), Art Hirahara, Randy Johnston, Angelique Kidjo, Simon Kirke (Bad Company), John Lithgow (Perfectly Ridiculous), Joe Lovano, Bill Mobley, Ben Monder, Nashua Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Shunzo Ohno, Tiger Okoshi, John Scofield, Kenny Shanker, Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, Suzanne Vega, Bill Ware Vibes, Lenny White, Harry Whitaker, Jack Wilkins, Phil Wilson, Chihiro Yamanaka, &c.

Among the recordings he did, Catch that Train! (Dan Zanes and Friends) won the 49th Annual Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children, and After Hours (Chihiro Yamanaka) won the 23rd Japan Gold Disc Award for Jazz Album of the Year.