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Wataru Uchida
New York-based jazz saxophonist and composer
About Me
Wataru Uchida is a saxophonist and composer. Wataru studied saxophone technique and jazz composition with Chico Freeman, and has been leading his jazz projects in New York since 2003.
In 2002, Wataru worked as a teaching assistant of Rory Stuart's rhythm analysis class at New School University Jazz & Contemporary Music program.
In 2010, Wataru released his first CD “Blue Morpho,” recorded with NY-based Brazilian jazz rhythm section players, Romero Lubambo, Helio Alvis, Nilson Matta, Cafe Da Silva, and Ze Mauricio. The album is dedicated to Barden Powell, the legendary Brazilian guitarist.
In 2015, Wataru has recorded his original compositions with Abelita Mateus, Itaiguara Brandão, and Vanderlei Pereira. The album, Predawn Shenanigans Club, is an old school one-room recording product.
Wataru has ever played with Abelita Mateus, Ricardo Grilli de Castro, Itaiguara Brandão, Gustavo Amarante, Amanda Ruzza, Eduardo Belo, Rogerio Boccato, Vanderlei Pereira, Fernando Saci, Alexandre Kautz, Daniel Silva, and many excellent Brazilian jazz artists.
Besides his own project, Wataru has been supported Tocho Swing Beats Jazz Big Band and ever performed at Birdland, Jazz Standard, and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York.
May 15, 2010, Wataru performed at Museum of the City of New York, leading his quintet with the select Japanese jazz performers in New York, as a part of events that celebrated 150 years anniversary of Japan- U.S. trade.
Wataru joined a recording project of The Paul Sanwald Quartet, and he performed at Bird & Beckett Books and Records in San Francisco as The Paul Sanwald Quartet LP releasing celebration in 2018.
In 2018, Wataru had his first straight ahead jazz recording project with Mark Whitfield Jr., Kenny Davis, and Noah Haidu. The album, THE HEART INTACT, is released in September, 2018.
Wataru is constantly playing in Harlem, and working on a new project with Paul Sanwald.