Ryoji

Ryoji Yamaguchi is a guitarist of diversity. He is active as a performer, arranger and composer in fields such as Classical, rock, ethnic, and other types of music. He was born in Tel Aviv, Israel to Japanese parents in 1981. Since childhood, he has lived in other countries such as Greece, Mexico, Japan, El Salvador and the United States. At the age of five, he started violin lessons with Yuriko Kuronuma in Mexico. At the age of 16, he switched to the guitar. From the year 2000 to 2004, he attended the University of Miami for bachelor’s degree in Classical guitar, where he studied with Dr. Rene Gonzalez. During Yamaguchi’s studies at the University, he had performed in masterclasses of guitarists such as Sergio and Odair Assad, Thomas Kirchhoff, Stephen Aron, Eduardo Fernandez, Ricardo Gallen, Manuel Barrueco, Jason Vieaux, and others. Yamaguchi’s current and past groups/projects include; fusion Andean group Inca Spirit, rock bands Caña, deafcayxxx, Mess Anger, an acoustic trio Project Otodama, and Sephardic Folk singer Susana Behar’s group. Miami based rock band Caña released their first CD "On the Rocks" in March of 2005. In summer of the same year, Yamaguchi made a guest appearance at the concert of renowned Shamisen (Japanese lute) player Hajime Nishi. During his visit to Jamaica in 2006, Ryoji recorded for a Portuguese reggae band One Love Family, produced by Earl “Chinna” Smith, the former guitarist of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Yamaguchi also co-wrote and recorded the song Baby Mother which is going to be on reggae singer Sizzla’s upcoming album. In January of 2007, Yamaguchi’s acoustic group Project Otodama, which consists of Brian Potts on percussion and Joe Rehmer on double bass, was featured in Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. In April of 2007, Yamaguchi performed with renowned Japanese violinist Junko Ohtsu in concerts organized by the Consulate General of Japan in Miami. Ryoji Yamaguchi and his groups have appeared in magazines, radio, and television programs. In February of 2004, he won the second prize at the first Miami International Guitar Competition. His band Caña also won a prize at a competition held by Hard Rock Café Miami in the same year. Ryoji Yamaguchi has recently completed master of music degree from the University of Miami Frost School of Music.