Tsuyoshi Ichikawa: “The Solo Guitar of Tsuyoshi Ichikawa”

(Art of Life AL1033-2)

MP3 Digital Downloads | About the Music | Liner Notes | Selected Quotations | Videos

Tsuyoshi Ichikawa: solo electric guitar CD $9.99 To purchase this CD using any major credit card, please click the "Checkout with Amazon" button below. To purchase this CD using PayPal, please click the "PayPal - Add To Cart" button below.

My One and Only Love (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) Nature Boy (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) Dindi (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) When You Wish Upon a Star / Someday My Prince Will Come (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) Willow Weep for Me (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) Danny Boy (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) 'Round Midnight (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi) Bewitched (Listen to MP3: hi-fi) (Listen with Real Audio: lo-fi)

MP3 Digital Downloads {top}

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About the Music {top}

Art of Life Records is pleased to welcome Japanese guitarist Tsuyoshi Ichikawa to its roster of recording artists which includes guitarists Stephen D. Anderson, Lenny Breau, Joe Diorio, Carl Filipiak, Ted Greene, Randy Runyon and Jimi Tunnell. Having studied the guitar with the legendary guitarist Ted Greene for four years beginning in 1995, Tsuyoshi has just recorded his first album as a leader of his own solo guitar arrangements of eight well-known Jazz standards. All songs were recorded and arranged on August 20th, 21st and 22nd 2007 at Studio 308 in Japan without any overdubbing by Tsuyoshi Ichikawa. All tracks have been professionally mastered using 24-bit digital technology.

Liner Notes {top}

Tsuyoshi Ichikawa was born on October 22, 1962 in Japan and began playing the guitar at the age of 14 years old. At 18 years of age he studied the guitar and music theory at The School of Music Plan for two years. At the age of 21 years old he began his career as a full time musician performing Jazz and Pop music in various clubs in Japan in addition to teaching private guitar lessons.

In February of 1995 Tsuyoshi moved to Los Angeles, California to study the guitar with the legendary guitarist Ted Greene. He studied with Ted for four years for two hours each week and sometimes twice a week. During his time in Los Angeles, he also performed with Wilton Felder, Dave Pike, Jim Hugart, Mayuto Correa and many others.

In 1999 Tsuyoshi returned to Japan where he currently teaches guitar, music theory and ear training at The School of Music Plan in addition to performing with different bands and singers as well as recording with other musicians as a sideman.

Art of Life Records is proud to present Tsuyoshi's recording debut as a leader, "The Solo Guitar of Tsuyoshi Ichikawa".

Selected Quotations {top}

"Tsuyoshi is one of the few students who has the technical ability combined with the sensitivity to recreate the beauty in any music." - Guitarist Ted Greene

Although in his forties at the time of these recording sessions, this solo date marked the first release by Japanese jazz guitarist Tsuyoshi Ichikawa under his own name. He had studied earlier with guitarist Ted Greene for four years and played with a number of artists in California during the mid-'90s before returning to live and work in Japan. Tackling nine familiar tunes, two of which are heard in a medley (the Disney songs "When You Wish Upon a Star" and the venerable favorite "Someday My Prince Will Come"), Ichikawa's style emphasizes lyricism in his intricate arrangements over merely showing off technique, though his chops are readily apparent. His magical setting of the bossa nova "Dindi" is full of lush inner voicings, while his bluesy take of "Willow Weep for Me" is slowly savored. With so many recordings available of "'Round Midnight," this jazz standard presents a special challenge, though Ichikawa delivers with a spacious, dramatic interpretation.
Ken Dryden - All Music Guide

Tsuyoshi is a player whose talent cannot be ignored. This is a "must have" CD!!! - Allan H., California

You are a GUITAR VIRTUOSO. Your playing is a full description of a tune - every note you play is a beautiful color added to the musical picture. BRAVO!!!
Mayuto Correa

Videos {top}