I am SO EXCITED to present my dear friend and colleague, GARY FUKUSHIMA, in a solo piano performance at our favorite home venue, in Mt. Washington near downtown L.A., “The GSpot”. I truly hope you’ll join us in listening to Gary on this marvelous 9 foot grand piano, in a beautiful environment!
I’ve always felt Gary was one of my very favorite pianists, in the world, whom I’ve played with! His sense of harmony and rhythm are outstandingly incredible!
GARY FUKUSHIMA is a keyboardist, composer, arranger, educator and author in Los Angeles.
He is on the faculty at California State University, Northridge, Pasadena City College, and at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
He has performed throughout the United States, South America, and Asia with Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report), Blue Note singer/songwriter Priscilla Ahn, actresses and singers Mia Maestro, Marilu Henner and Renee Olstead, and acclaimed ensembles such as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Sabella Consort, and many others. He is the co-founder and co-leader of his own band, GF3, which has just released their first EP, Preludes, Book I.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Gary relocated to Southern California in 2003 to continue graduate studies and is currently active in the local Los Angeles music scene, having recorded and performed with many esteemed musicians including Chester Thompson, Mike Stern, Anthony Jackson, Mike Shapiro, Ben Wendel, Gilad Hekselman, Ngdugu Chancler, Mark Ferber, Steve Cotter, Jeff Clayton, Sara Gazarek, Mike O’Neill, Joe La Barbara, Larry Koonse, Cathy Segal-Garcia, Matt Otto, Darek Oles, Ralph Alessi, Carl Saunders, John Daversa, Kathleen Grace, Peter Epstein, Dontae Winslow, Abe Lagrimas, Jr., Roy McCurdy, and Gary Pratt.
Gary has also written articles about jazz for publications including DownBeat Magazine, LA Weekly and LA Jazz Scene, and he is a cofounder and artistic director of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective, an nonprofit organization that seeks to promote improvised jazz music, and to create a stronger community among Los Angeles jazz musicians. He is also on the board of the California jazz foundation, one of the leading organizations that provide support for jazz musicians who are in need.
