June Yamagishi
Encyclopedia
June Yamagishi is a Japanese guitarist based in New Orleans, Louisiana
. He is the guitarist for bands Papa Grows Funk
and the Wild Magnolias
.
along with vocalist Takashi "Hotoke
" Nagai, guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu, bassist Tadashi Kobori, and drummer Teruo Matsumoto. The band soon became one of the main acts in then thriving blues scene in the Kansai region.
In 1975, Yamagishi went on to join a soul band named So Bad Revue, and in 1979, he released the first album under his name titled Really?!.
During the 1980s, he played with bands Myx and Chickenshack (a Japanese band different from the British one) and in the 1990s, he formed the Band of Pleasure with guitarist David T. Walker
and drummer James Gadson
and released three albums before they disbanded.
In 1995, Yamagishi left his well-established career behind in Japan to live in New Orleans where he still lives today. Since he found his home in the Crescent City, he has played with musicians including Earl King
, Henry Butler
, Davell Crawford, Marva Wright
, George Porter, Jr.
among many others aside from the two groups he has been a member of.
In 2007, he reunited with West Road Blues Band guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu to record Together Again - Blues in New Orleans. It was an all blues album recorded in New Orleans, with support from the local musicians including John Gros and Marva Wright.
In 2011, he appeared on the HBO series Treme
, in the episode "Santa Clause, Do You Ever Get The Blues". He auditioned for the band The Soul Apostles, and after playing "Fire on The Bayou" and "Love and Happiness" was successfully employed.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. He is the guitarist for bands Papa Grows Funk
Papa Grows Funk
Papa Grows Funk is a funk band from New Orleans, Louisiana. The band was started by frontman John "Papa" Gros early 2000, developing from a series of Monday night jam sessions helmed by Gros at New Orleans’ Maple Leaf Bar...
and the Wild Magnolias
The Wild Magnolias
-History:A group calling itself the Wild Magnolias, participating in the local "Indian masking" traditions and performing New Orleans Mardi Gras music, extends at least back into the 1950s. The group's lead member was called the Big Chief, and at least three Big Chiefs are known to have headed the...
.
History
He has been active in the Japanese blues and jazz scene since the early 1970s. In 1972, he formed the West Road Blues Band in KyotoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
along with vocalist Takashi "Hotoke
Hotoke
The Japanese noun Note that the very same kanji 仏 in modern Japanese can be also read futsu, but is often used as an abbreviation for the word "furansu", or France...
" Nagai, guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu, bassist Tadashi Kobori, and drummer Teruo Matsumoto. The band soon became one of the main acts in then thriving blues scene in the Kansai region.
In 1975, Yamagishi went on to join a soul band named So Bad Revue, and in 1979, he released the first album under his name titled Really?!.
During the 1980s, he played with bands Myx and Chickenshack (a Japanese band different from the British one) and in the 1990s, he formed the Band of Pleasure with guitarist David T. Walker
David T. Walker
David T. Walker is an American guitarist born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to numerous session musician duties since the early 1970s, Walker has issued over twelve albums in his own name.-Career:...
and drummer James Gadson
James Gadson
James Gadson is an American drummer and session musician. Beginning his career in the late 1960s, Gadson has since become one of the most-recorded drummers in the history of R&B music....
and released three albums before they disbanded.
In 1995, Yamagishi left his well-established career behind in Japan to live in New Orleans where he still lives today. Since he found his home in the Crescent City, he has played with musicians including Earl King
Earl King
This article is about the musical artist. For the Earl King convicted of murdering a ship's officer, see Earl King, Ernest Ramsay, and Frank Conner...
, Henry Butler
Henry Butler
Henry Butler is an American jazz pianist.He is known for his technique and his ability to play in many styles of music. Referred to by Dr...
, Davell Crawford, Marva Wright
Marva Wright
Marva Wright was an American blues singer.-Biography:Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Wright's first public singing efforts were heard in church, with her mother the late Mattie Gilbert, a piano player and gospel singer as her accompanist. Top honors in a school-sponsored singing competition followed...
, George Porter, Jr.
George Porter, Jr.
George Porter, Jr. is a musician best known as the bassist and singer of The Meters. Along with Art Neville, Porter formed the group in the mid 60's and came to be recognized as one of the progenitors of funk. The Meters disbanded in 1977, but reformed in 1989...
among many others aside from the two groups he has been a member of.
In 2007, he reunited with West Road Blues Band guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu to record Together Again - Blues in New Orleans. It was an all blues album recorded in New Orleans, with support from the local musicians including John Gros and Marva Wright.
In 2011, he appeared on the HBO series Treme
Treme (TV series)
Treme is an American television drama series created by David Simon and Eric Overmyer that premiered on April 11, 2010 on HBO. It takes its name from Tremé, a neighborhood of New Orleans...
, in the episode "Santa Clause, Do You Ever Get The Blues". He auditioned for the band The Soul Apostles, and after playing "Fire on The Bayou" and "Love and Happiness" was successfully employed.
Solo
- 1979: Really?! (Flying Dog)
- 1981: All the Same (Invitation)
- 1988: Give This Love (Try M)
- 1993: Jack of the Blues (BMG Victor)
- 1994: Smokin' Hole (BMG Victor)
- 2007: Together Again - Blues in New Orleans (Victor Entertainment), with Shinji Shiotsugu
West Road Blues Band
- 1973: Live In Magazine No.1/2 (Chu Chu Record)
- 1975: Blues Power (Bourbon)
- 1975: Live in Kyoto (Bourbon)
- 1984: Junction (Invitation)
- 1995: Live in New York (Zain)
Chickenshack
- 1986: Chickenshack I (Meldac)
- 1986: Chickenshack II (Meldac)
- 1986: Urban Square (original soundtrack) (Meldac)
- 1987: Loving Power (Meldac)
- 1987: Chickenshack III (Meldac)
- 1988: Chickenshack IV (Meldac)
- 1989: Chickenshack V (Meldac)
- 1990: Loving Power II (Meldac)
- 1990: Chickenshack VI (Meldac)
Band of Pleasure
- 1992: Live at Kirin Plaza
- 1994: Band of Pleasure
- 1995: A Tiny Step
The Wild Magnolias
- 1996: 1313 Hoodoo Street (AIM)
- 1999: Life Is a Carnival (Metro Blue)
- 2002: 30 Years & Still Wild (AIM)
Papa Grows Funk
- 2001: Doin It
- 2003: Shakin
- 2006: Live at the Leaf
- 2007: Mr. Patterson's Hat