michaelomiya
02-07-2005, 01:33 AM
(I posted this on the Gear Page yesterday, so apologies to those who've already read this! However, I did add more pix! ;))
OK, I had heard of Tomo Fujita's playing through some HAO and Xotic effects folks. BUT, it wasn't until I witnessed his playing in person that I truly realized his talent.
Saturday, Jan. 22, NAMM 2005, Eminence Speakers booth. Tomo's the sole player in a room full of amps (Bogner, Diezel, Peavey, CAE OD100, Boogie, Marshall, Fender, VHT, etc.) on one side and cabs on the other. Upon closer examination, the cabs were LOADED w/ 24 (?) different Patriot and Red Coat speakers. A pedal board w/ 24 switches (one for each speaker, each enclosed in 6 separate cabs) lay infront of Tomo.
When we walk in, Tomo's conducting a technical clinic, while simultaneously demonstrating the resilience and tight low mid of the Tonker speaker (along w/ the Wizard, Guv'nor, and several other speakers). BTW, he's playing an SRV Fender, through a Two Rock Opal, dry. The front end of the Opal is being goosed by a prototype boost pedal (from his friend in MA) which looked like something from Zvex and sounded like an HAO.
After about 5 minutes of blazing blues passages laced w/ heavy jazz phrasing, he stops. Motions someone to hit the "Tonker" switch (which changes the speaker from one 412 to another), and we're in funk, fusion heaven. Out of the Tonker, comes the meanest, funkiest rhythms ever. With all this grooving, Tomo stops again. Reflects on his love of Taiko drums, and starts popping and slapping like Stanley Clarke. And this was not your "hey check this out, ain't I cool" kinda of stuff. This was musical. UNREAL. And my g*d was it clean. Bell-like clean.
So, after about 25 minutes of jaw dropping, awe-inspiring playing, I walk up, shake the man's hand, and inquire about lessons. In a completely unassuming fashion, Tomo directs me to his website, saying it's difficult to give private lessons to a guy in LA, while working as a professor at Berkelee in Boston!! We shoot some pix, and I go back to the NAMM show. (As a player who epitomizes and has mastered many styles, Tomo's as unassuming, jovial, and approachable as Eric Johnson.)
Upon returning home, I order up this solo DVD and CD, "Put on Your Funk Face". I just received it this afternoon. Conclusion? Like his live playing, the DVD/CD are beyond impressive.
The DVD is a solo performance, acappella - no bass, no drums, no vox. It is nothing short of amazing. ONE take!?!?!?! Appears so. The first passage, unaccompanied, absolutely grooves. He plays in the pocket like no one else. It's extremely obvious, as his timing and phrasing (inside and outside) are DEAD on. Unreal.
So for those of you who dig Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton, Henderson, Landau, et.al., check out Tomo Fujita. You won't be disappointed!!
http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/tomodemo.jpg
http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/tomoprosound.jpg
OK, I had heard of Tomo Fujita's playing through some HAO and Xotic effects folks. BUT, it wasn't until I witnessed his playing in person that I truly realized his talent.
Saturday, Jan. 22, NAMM 2005, Eminence Speakers booth. Tomo's the sole player in a room full of amps (Bogner, Diezel, Peavey, CAE OD100, Boogie, Marshall, Fender, VHT, etc.) on one side and cabs on the other. Upon closer examination, the cabs were LOADED w/ 24 (?) different Patriot and Red Coat speakers. A pedal board w/ 24 switches (one for each speaker, each enclosed in 6 separate cabs) lay infront of Tomo.
When we walk in, Tomo's conducting a technical clinic, while simultaneously demonstrating the resilience and tight low mid of the Tonker speaker (along w/ the Wizard, Guv'nor, and several other speakers). BTW, he's playing an SRV Fender, through a Two Rock Opal, dry. The front end of the Opal is being goosed by a prototype boost pedal (from his friend in MA) which looked like something from Zvex and sounded like an HAO.
After about 5 minutes of blazing blues passages laced w/ heavy jazz phrasing, he stops. Motions someone to hit the "Tonker" switch (which changes the speaker from one 412 to another), and we're in funk, fusion heaven. Out of the Tonker, comes the meanest, funkiest rhythms ever. With all this grooving, Tomo stops again. Reflects on his love of Taiko drums, and starts popping and slapping like Stanley Clarke. And this was not your "hey check this out, ain't I cool" kinda of stuff. This was musical. UNREAL. And my g*d was it clean. Bell-like clean.
So, after about 25 minutes of jaw dropping, awe-inspiring playing, I walk up, shake the man's hand, and inquire about lessons. In a completely unassuming fashion, Tomo directs me to his website, saying it's difficult to give private lessons to a guy in LA, while working as a professor at Berkelee in Boston!! We shoot some pix, and I go back to the NAMM show. (As a player who epitomizes and has mastered many styles, Tomo's as unassuming, jovial, and approachable as Eric Johnson.)
Upon returning home, I order up this solo DVD and CD, "Put on Your Funk Face". I just received it this afternoon. Conclusion? Like his live playing, the DVD/CD are beyond impressive.
The DVD is a solo performance, acappella - no bass, no drums, no vox. It is nothing short of amazing. ONE take!?!?!?! Appears so. The first passage, unaccompanied, absolutely grooves. He plays in the pocket like no one else. It's extremely obvious, as his timing and phrasing (inside and outside) are DEAD on. Unreal.
So for those of you who dig Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton, Henderson, Landau, et.al., check out Tomo Fujita. You won't be disappointed!!
http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/tomodemo.jpg
http://www.members.cox.net/eddyrox/tomoprosound.jpg