Home » Jazz Musicians » Shinobu Ito
Shinobu Ito
Shinobu Ito was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. While a young boy,he was interested in American pop songs, so his father bought him a guitar and gave him lessons.
Shinobu devoted great efforts to his study of the guitar and eventually developed an ambition to become a noted guitarist in the future. In junior high school, he organized his own pop music group and performed at various musical events. He became interested in jazz guitar during his high school days when he heard Wes Montgomery.
While attending Tokai University, Shinobu studied with the respected guitar teacher, Ikuo Shiozaki, and became a member of the university’s Jazz Circle. He also began his professional career at this time, performing at clubs and on recordings.
In 1975, Shinobu experienced a great culture shock?socially and musically?during a 6-month stay in Los Angeles. During this period in L.A. Shinobu met Toshiko Akiyoshi, who introduced him to many musicians and strongly suggested to him that he go to New York to learn and play jazz on his next visit to the States.
When he returned to Japan in 1975, Shinobu joined vocalist Yoshiko Kimura’s group, and also resumed activities with top Japanese musicians such as Kohsuke Mine, Seiichi Nakamura, Shigeharu Mukai, Hidefumi Toki and Takao Uematsu. He also had opportunities to play with Tete Montreux, Bill Reichenbach, Ronnie Foster, Stanley Banks and others.
Also in 1975, he was chosen as one of the most popular guitarists in Japan by Swing Journal magazine for the first time.
In keeping with his plan, Shinobu returned to the United States in 1977 and settled in New York City. He became a member of a 10-piece band directed by Reggie Workman, which performed mainly at Brooklyn festivals. He also joined Teruo Nakamura & his Rising Sun Band and became involved in various other musical activities mostly in the New York area.
Additionally, Shinobu appeared on pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s album P.S. I Love You. Some of the many musicians he played with at this time include: Joe Jones Jr., Sadik Hakim, John Orr, Tommy Turrentine, Bob Mintzer, Rickey Ford and Kenny Kirkland.
In 1980, he formed and recorded his own first fusion group with T.M. Stevens, Kyle Hicks and Gene Williams while continuing other musical activities. He would occasionally lead groups at jazz clubs such as the Blue Note, 55 Bar, the Angry Squire, Pat’s, etc., performing with musicians including Valery Ponomarev, Lonnie Plaxico, Eddie Henderson, Lonnie Smith, Jesse Davis, Kenny Davis and Jeff Williams, among others.
Read moreTags
Take Five with Shinobu Ito
by AAJ Staff
Meet Shinobu Ito: Shinobu met Toshiko Akiyoshi in 1975, who introduced him to many musicians and strongly suggested to him that he go to New York to learn and play jazz on his next visit to the States.When he returned to Japan in 1975, He resumed activities with many top class Japanese musicians. He also had opportunities to play with Tete Montreux, Bill Reichenbach, Ronnie Foster, Stanley Banks and others. Shinobu returned to the United States in 1977 ...
read moreHis CD / ONE LIFE TO LIVE recorded live in Tokyo in 1991 was once reviewed as a legendary live recording of Roppongi Pit Inn, but this MIDNIGHT SESSION was recorded live in NYC in 1989 which was two years back.
This night's fiery fusion live that begins with the rumbling of a large customer conversation makes the listeners feel like as if they are listening to music in New York City at the time.
Primary Instrument
Guitar
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Shinobu has been teaching at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music / Jazz Division for a few years.