Neal Nagaoka
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Lightning Guitar Fuels All-Instrumental Release
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Los Angeles guitarist Neal Nagaoka has taken his compositional and performing skills and applied them to his first CD release, an all-instrumental affair entitled The Crossing. His album features eleven hard rock and metal instrumentals marked by propulsive rhythm crunch, sophisticated rock-meets-classical leads, and Nagaoka's immaculate intonation. Nagaoka displays one head-turning lick after another on up-tempo material such as "The Kitten Strut" and "Wham Bam Thank You Maam", as well as on slower grooves such as "The Farewell". If you like ultra-fast shred guitar, look no further than The Crossing.
At the age of 12, Nagaoka began his musical endeavors with a driving passion to be the best. After fourteen years of studying and performing (along with eleven years of teaching experiences), Nagaoka has acquired a vast arsenal of contemporary guitar techniques. He has performed with several rock and jazz bands in both the Los Angeles and Boston areas. After attending the Musicians Institute and the Berklee College of Music, Nagaoka was able to secure a teaching position as an instructor of guitar at GIT for the Musicians Institute. His desire to fully realize his own compositions led to the creation of The Crossing in 1997.
While testing the independent waters for now, Nagaoka's long-term desire is to obtain a record deal and further utilize his compositional and performing skills. Nagaoka is also seeking distribution for The Crossing, and is looking for additional endorsements to compliment his current agreements with E.S.P. guitars and Vibro Tech.
Contact Information
Neal Nagaoka
1290 Hillgreen Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90035
United States
Web site:
www.nealnagaoka.com
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Larry Steen
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Explosive, Contemporary Jazz With A World Feel
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Similar to fellow Los Angeles musician Neal Nagaoka, jazz/fusion bassist Larry Steen has leveraged an extensive musical education into a career in music, most recently culminating in his debut CD project entitled First Move. First Move also features renowned recording artists such as saxophonist Ernie Watts, drummer Dave Weckl, pianist Bill Cunliffe and flugelhornist Jeff Beal on eleven tracks of creative world jazz that incorporate rhythms from Brazil, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean and West Africa, to name a few. First Move even blends funk and classical influences into the world jazz stew, as Steen's punchy bass lines highlight and augment the music spanning a variety of cultures. First Move is evidently the first of many musical moves in the emerging career of this polished musician.
Steen has been devoting himself to his bass for quite a while, attending the Berklee College of Music from 1982 to 1984, then studying at the University of Miami from 1985 to 1987, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Music and Jazz. Steen was fortunate enough to study classical double bass with Lucas Drew while at the university. He then turned professional, landing a job as orchestra bassist for the Broadway touring company of "Forty-Second Street" and as studio musician for the Dick Grove School of Music. Steen has also done numerous T.V., film and commercial recording dates. Before recording First Move, Steen toured with both Barry Manilow (1991-1992) and Engelbert Humperdinck (1995).
"I believe that music is an expression of ourselves, of humanity," states Steen. "It's the expression of life's beauty...it's not always pretty, and it's certainly not perfect. I like to think that my music encompasses many of life's different dynamics. I want people to be affected in some way by my music."
Contact Information
Larry Steen/L. M. S. Records
1351 Seward Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Untied States
Web site:
www.flat5.com
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