Artist description Tomo Fujita possesses all of the elements of great musicianship: astounding technical ability, flawless rhythm skills, and a total command of his instrument; but the greatest aspect of his talent is his ability to inject a deep soulful ness into every note he plays. Deep blues, be-bop jazz, acid funk--no matter what style is called for, Tomo plays it all with command. In addition to his instrumental mastery, he also understands the key elements of showmanship and live performance; this animated guitarist, often seen bouncing madly on the stage in flashy red pants, is as exciting to watch, as he is to listen to. The original instrumental compositions on his debut CD "Put On Your Funk Face" are a mixture of his many diverse influences: Earth, Wind, and Fire, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Ray Charles, and James Brown are just a few of the hundreds of ingredients in his musical stew. Countless hours were spent absorbing and synthesizing these styles, and in his own playing one can easily hear the deep respect that he feels for his hero's music. His ability to seamlessly cross-stylistic lines means he cancan please a greater audience. He has recently been raising the Holy Spirit at a Black Baptist church in Boston, enthralling a congregation that ordinarily wouldn't be seen in the House of Blues.

Music Style Funk/ Jazz

Musical Influences Earth, Wind, and Fire, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Ray Charles, and James Brown

Similar Artists Earth, Wind, and Fire, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, Ray Charles, P Funk, Prince and James Brown

Artist History Tomo's diversity is due in part to Berklee College of Music, where Tomo earned his degree and has been teaching since 1993. He is one of the youngest faculty members at the school, and was recently promoted to Assistant Professor; the administration snatched him up quickly after graduation because of his reputation as a master private teacher and "guitarist's guitarist". He is also affiliated with the major music schools in his native Japan, where he goes every summer to tour and do clinics. He has contributed articles to the major Japanese magazines Jazz Life, Jazz Guitar, and Guitar Magazine. Tomo recently released an instructional video through Rittor Music in Japan, which has sold over five thousand copies in only four months (an English translation is in the works). Tomo has developed his great reputation with musicians and audiences through years of playing clubs throughout New England like the House of Blues, Johnny D's, Harper's Ferry, Ryle's, the Berklee Performance Center, etc., where he has shared the stage with the likes of Phil Collins, bassist Darryl Jones (Miles Davis, Sting, Rolling Stones), Ronnie Earl, disco greats Peaches n' Herb, Mighty Sam McClain, and Roomful of Blues to name a few. He also enjoyed a stint in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical RENT. He is a long-time endorser of D'Addario strings. Tomo's greatest attribute is his ability to command attention in any setting, whether it is an outdoor festival, a gritty bar, or a classy jazz club. His live shows with Blue Funk, his band of Berklee colleagues, are pure artistic entertainment. When you see Tomo, you never feel cheated; audiences have told him both in the church and in the clubs that listening to him play is a religious experience. Winning numerous Battles of the Bands, Boston's Best Guitarist competition, and demo of the month in Guitar Player magazine (which is published internationally) isn't enough for him. Tomo won't stop until he reaches the top.

Group Members Tomo Fujita - Guitars (Graduate of and Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music)Dave Limina - Keyboards (Graduate of and Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music)Larry Finn - Drums (Graduate of and Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music)Anthony Vitti - Bass (Graduate of and Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music)

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drums

Albums Put On Your Funk Face, Funk Soul Groove Volume 1.

Location Wayland, MA - USA

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