Masashi Usui

BODY&SOUL - Tokyo

17 Nov

Written By Oh! Jazz

Masashi Usui Saxophonist, composer and arranger.
Born in Inami-cho, Toyama Prefecture. Since high school, he was inspired by the sound and music of his teacher, world-renowned saxophonist Masato Kumoi, and aspired to become a saxophonist.
Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Arts, Department of Instrumental Music in 2003.
In 2013, he collaborated with world-renowned drummer Fukuji Tainaka, and through performing with numerous musicians not only in Japan, but also in New York.
In 2015, he enrolled in the jazz performance department of the Graduate School of Music at McGill University, one of Canada's most prestigious universities.
In November of the same year she was again granted a Graduate Excellence Fellowship from McGill University Graduate School.
In 2017, he became the first Japanese to complete the Jazz Performance Department at McGill University Graduate School of Music.
Masashi Usui recorded with Canada's leading musicians Paul Shrofel, Adrian Vedady, and André White in Montreal and released his first album, "All That You See."
On August 8, 2021, releases his 2nd album “Everlasting” produced with pianist Phillip Strange.
From 2022, he is Japan's first MARCA Reeds Saxophone Gold Artist.
Masashi Usui attracts attention with his authentic saxophone tones that are reminiscent of the good old days of jazz. Possessing solid ensemble skills cultivated through classical chamber music and orchestral performances, and a wide range of expressiveness based on outstanding technique, the musicality deeply rooted in jazz tradition and history reaches out to listeners across national and language barriers.
Collaborations, Fukushi Tainaka, André White, Mark Taylor, Al McLean, Kevin Dean, Reg Schwager, Mike Rud, Greg Clayton, Geoff Lapp, Paul Shrofel, Neil Swainson, Alec Walkington, Adrian Vedady in North America, Akira Omori, Hideaki Yoshioka in Japan , Phillip Strange and others.