New Orleans Jazz is alive and well in Japan thanks to
Yoshitaka “Z Two” Tsuji
N
ew Orleans’ music has a
W
and Tiger Onisuka.
By: Shirley Jones his regular keyboardist was on vacation. He
hat brought Z Two
had to rush out and purchase a suit and bor-
to New Orleans was
rowed a keyboard, because he would be per-
his dream to play
forming with Kermit for the next three weeks.
with jazz trumpeter
After the three weeks, Z Two became available
Tsuji had a strong desire to be a part of the
Kermit Ruffins, a famous New Orleans musi-
to experience the New Orleans music scene by
New Orleans music scene; he worked hard to
cian that Z Two admired from affar. He would
performing in areas such as Frenchman Street
bring his dream into reality. Drawing inspira-
listen to Kermit’s music almost every day in Ja-
and Jackson Square. All the while, of course
tion from great New Orleans musicians such
pan and had purchased all of his CDs. In May
he frequently attended Kermit’s performances.
as Kermit Ruffins and Henry Butler, Z Two is
2011, he finally made his move to New Orleans
In January 2012, Z Two became the official
now living his dream.
with his mind on making that dream a real-
keyboardist for Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ
ity. Z Two attended Kermit’s Thursday night
Swingers, a position he holds to date.
way of inspiring people around the world and this was the case for Japanese
born musician Z Two! Yoshitaka “Z Two”
B
orn in 1978 in Osaka, Japan, Yoshitaka learned to play piano at age 5 as prescribed by the tradi-
tional Japanese curriculum, music education is required. He attended the University of Hyogo as a student in bio-technology. It was there he discovered the world of jazz at the age of 18 and joined a jazz circle. Z Two learned to play jazz by listening to the recordings of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. It was in 2000 when he began performing in various places in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe Japan which marked the beginning of his ca-
performance at Vaughan’s Lounge in the By-
reer. During that time he performed with art-
water and jammed with him that night. Two
ist such as Eddie Henderson, Clifton Ander-
weeks later, Kermit contacted Z Two because
son, Othello Molineaux, Takeshi Yamaguchi
he needed a keyboard player immediately as
S
ince being in New Orleans, Z Two has performed with the likes of John Boutte, Mike “Soulman” Baptiste, Trombone Shorty, Irvin Mayfield, Nayo Jones and many others. Z Two can be seen performing with Kermit and the BBQ Swingers Sunday’s at Kermit Ruffins Speak Easy, Tuesday’s at Bullets Sports Bar, Thursday’s at Vaughan’s Lounge and Friday’s at the Blue Nile. Like most New Orleans musicians Z Two performs with multiple bands. He can also be seen performing with Miki Fuji and Friends on Monday’s at Yuki Izakaya.
Photo By: Doc Jones 504 MAGAZINE 14