Tyrone Hashimoto
In 1983 Tyrone Hashimoto recorded Stevie Wonder's "Stay Gold" in
English for the Japanese release of the film "The Outsiders". Shunichi
Suzuki is his real name but to get an authenticity to sing in English,he
chose Tyrone Hashimoto.
In 1975 Tyrone visited Berkley,CA for the first time and attended a
Taj Mahal concert.The music brought out emotional feelings and touched
him as no music ever had,so Tyrone decided to devote himself to the
study of the many facets of Afro American music.He immersed himself
in the music of blues artists like Robert Johnson, T-bone Walker,and
jazz artists like Joe Williams,Count Basie and Duke Ellington while
also experiencing the influences of Reggae,Calypso,Salsa,Hatian and
Nigerian"Juju" music. Tyrone Hashimoto has always been a very musical
person.
He began singing at an early age,and in 1971,Tyrone won the prestigious
Grand Prix Award at the 1st all Japan Folk Music Contest.He went on
to join the band "Tin Pan Alley"(1974)which was formed by Harry Hosono
who would later became the leader of the Yellow Magic Orchestra.Tyrone
was a lead vocalist on YMO's first recording(1978). From 1981 Tyrone
started writing his own songs,influenced by Afro American music,especially
Donny Hathaway and Gil Scott-Heron.He became lead vocalist,singing in
Spanish only,for the Japanese Salsa band Orquesta Del Sol, recording
two records for Disco Mate/JVC(1983).
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At the same time he started writing music for TV & Radio commercials
and doing studio production work.Over the passed two decades,Tyrone
has become one of Japan's most successful jingle writers and voice over
talents.He has written and performed for about 600 clients like MacDonalds,Kentucky
Fried,Chicken,Nissan,Canon,Sharp,Kodak,Disneyland and many others.
In 1988 Tyrone celebrated the unprecedented release of his first solo
album "Moments Of Love",which was written entirely in English.He did
a showcase which was entitled Samurai Soul in Seattle.This promotion
was a great success.So many articles like Seattle PI(1 whole page),Seattle
Times,International Examiner(front page),The Rocket,The Facts and Seattle
Weekly came out.Radio Interview at KIRO(this went to whole West Coast),K-Fox
and KUOW ,TV newscast like King5(5 o'clock news) and KSTW11(10 o'clock
news) was on the air.And at last King5 produced Tyrone's Documentary
that went to 37 US cities by NBC. Tyrone seemed to be ready to go to
US market.In order to shop the major label he went back to Japan to
start preparing recording materials.
While preparing he released his 2nd album for Japan "Illusion In The
Rain"(1989),3rd album "Slow Dancing".Finally he came to be ready to
hit US,but unfortunately at that time Rap&HipHop music took over R&B
music industry and kicked all Quiet Storm kind of music out.Tyrone's
music was just like Quiet Storm.His managers advised Tyrone to wait
for the next chance and to stay in Japan.And there was no way for Tyrone
to refuse that advice. It was a disappointment for Tyrone,but he bounced
back very quickly.
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1993 he released his 4th album "Lovers", in which he performed,arranged,programmed,and
engineered all songs,in other words, he did that all almost by himself.
He started producing CDs & Commercials in his own studio.(He built in
1994.) Now Tyrone can sing,write lyrics and music programm,play guitars&percussions,and
engineer. Now's the time for Tyrone to go!
For further information,please contact:
Florence Braxton at 206-781-8111 909 N.74th Street #301 Seattle,WA 98103
TYRONE HASHIMOTO
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