Gary Fukushima

Gary Fukushima is a keyboardist and composer in Los Angeles.  He is on the faculty at California State University, Northridge, Pasadena City College, and at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.  He has performed throughout the United States, South America, and Asia with Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), Blue Note singer/songwriter Priscilla Ahn, actresses and singers Mia Maestro, Marilu Henner and Renee Olstead, and acclaimed ensembles such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Sabella Consort, and many others.  He is the co-founder and co-leader of his own band, GF3, which has just released their first EP, Preludes, Book I.

A native of Seattle, Washington, Gary relocated to Southern California in 2003 to continue graduate studies and is currently active in the local Los Angeles music scene, having recorded and performed with many esteemed musicians including Chester Thompson, Mike Stern, Anthony Jackson, Mike Shapiro, Ben Wendel, Gilad Hekselman, Ngdugu Chancler, Mark Ferber, Steve Cotter, Jeff Clayton, Sara Gazarek, Mike O’Neill, Joe La Barbara, Larry Koonse, Matt Otto, Darek Oles, Ralph Alessi, Carl Saunders, John Daversa, Kathleen Grace, Peter Epstein, Dontae Winslow, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Roy McCurdy, and Gary Pratt.  

Gary has also written articles about jazz for publications including DownBeat Magazine, LA Weekly and LA Jazz Scene, and he is a cofounder and artistic director of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective, an nonprofit organization that seeks to promote improvised jazz music, and to create a stronger community among Los Angeles jazz musicians,  Gary resides in Eagle Rock, CA with his wife Susan, their daughter, Jesslyn and their cat, Willimena.

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