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Biography
| Guitarist Ryoji Yamaguchi is active as a versatile performer, arranger, and composer in classical, pop/rock, ethnic, and other styles of music. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1981, he has lived in several countries since childhood, such as Greece, Mexico, Japan, El Salvador, and the United States. He began playing violin at age five and switched to guitar at age 16. Ryoji holds a bachelor’s and master’s in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he studied with Dr. Rene Gonzalez. Current and past groups/projects include: fusion Andean group Inca Spirit; rock bands Caña, deafcayxxx, and Mess Anger (Universal Music Group); instrumental outfits Ensemble Otodama, Duo Aquarelle with Taichi Akutsu, and Susana Behar Sephardic Music Ensemble. He has also worked with Hajime Nishi, Harmonic Motion, Junko Ohtsu, and Earl “Chinna” Smith of Bob Marley and the Wailers. In February of 2004, he won the second prize at the first Miami International Guitar Competition. His group Caña also won a prize at a competition held by the Hard Rock Café in Miami the same year. Currently, he is on faculty at the SoBe Music Institute, while being active as a performer. He also recorded for Tsugaru Shamisen player Hajime Nishi’s debut CD, released in Japan on March 1st. |
Current Projects
Ensemble Otodama - Originally founded by Ryoji Yamaguchi, the group is a collaboration of musicians showcasing seasonal classical and jazz sccores from, or influenced by, Japanese and Latin American culture. ensembleotodama.com; www.myspace.com/ensembleotodama |
| Susana Behar Sephardic Music Ensemble - Featuring singer Susana Behar, the ensemble performs Sephardic tradtionals. The ensemble consists of vocals, classical guitar, cello, and percussion. |
Duo Aquarelle - Violin and Guitar duo with Taichi Akutsu from the New World Symphony www.myspace.com/duoaquarelle |
Discography
| Caña - On the Rocks (2005) |
| Ryoji Yamaguchi - Solo Guitar (2005) |
| Ensemble Otodama - In Autumn (2008) |
| Duo Aquarelle - Velvet (2008) |
| Hajime Nishi - Kaiki (2009) |
| Caña - Soundtrack for On the Board Surf Magazine`s DVD Which Is? (2009) |
Awards
Miami International Guitar Competition - 2nd Prize Competition held by Hard Rock Cafe Miami - 1st Prize (with Caña) |
Services
- Concerts and other performances (private parties, restaurants, schools...etc) |
Booking
| - Solo or group performances available for concerts and private events. - e-mail: ryojiy@hotmail.com |
Spring Concert on April 22, 2007 (L-R: Jon Estes, Ryoji Yamaguchi, Junko Ohtsu & Geneva Harrison).