Friday, September 9, 2016

Shu Odamura - Cloud Illusions (2016)


Born in Kyoto, Japan, Shu Odamura is a New York-based guitarist, composer. He holds bachelor’s degree in jazz composition. He started taking guitar lessons at the age of 12. In 2003, he competed in the Gibson Jazz Guitar Contest as a youngest and won the special prize. In 2006, He moved to Boston to study at Berklee where he was given the Toshiko Akiyoshi Award. His teachers include Jon Damian, John Wilkins, Diavid Gilmore (guitarist for Wayne Shorter), Greg Hopkins (arranger/trumpeter for Buddy Rich big band), Scott Free, and Ken Pullig.

As a guitarist, Shu has performed with various kinds of groups, such as jazz ensembles, pop/rock bands, church choirs, as well as his own jazz duo/trio. He has been credited on numerous recordings. In 2010, he played on Mina Cho’s album “Originality,” which led him to be selected for Third Place in the 32nd Jazz Station Poll (Acoustic Guitar) conducted by renowned jazz journalist Arnaldo DeSouteiro. As a composer and arranger, he works for jazz orchestra, flute/saxophone ensemble, pop singers, and films. His minimal-music piece “Kitchen Talk” was selected to air on Ryuichi Sakamoto’s radio program in Japan.


01. Rain
02. Viko
03. Primera Vez
04. Dear Boston
05. Blue Space
06. Onsen Waltz
07. Say Hello To Oscar
08. Flowing Colors
09. Beyond The Clouds
10. Believe

Shu Odamura: guitar, compositions
Yoshiki Yamada: electric bass, double bass
Yutaka Uchida: drums