Today we’d like to introduce you to Junichiro Mataga.
Hi Junichiro, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a jazz pianist based in New York. I came to New York five years ago. After earning my master’s degree in jazz studies from a graduate school in New York, I have been actively pursuing my career here. Before coming to New York, I worked as a research engineer in vibration and acoustics at the Japanese electronics company NEC for about nine years. So far, I have released two leader albums.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I faced many difficulties before studying at a music university in the United States. These challenges were not only related to my skills in jazz and piano but also financial issues. That’s why I worked as a research engineer in Japan. Of course, I enjoyed my job as a corporate research engineer and learned a lot from it, but in order to achieve my original goal of studying abroad, I needed to take the time to build up the necessary resources.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a jazz pianist. While jazz is my specialty, I also compose and arrange music, engaging in creative activities across various genres. There are many jazz pianists and pianists in general, but what sets me apart is my background as a former research engineer in vibration and acoustics. This knowledge is something I frequently apply not only to my performance but also to my composition and arrangement. As a result, my leader albums have received several awards. My first album, Sketches, was recognized as one of the Top Albums of the Year by the Global Music Awards, and my second album, Landscape, won the Grand Prize in the Jazz Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my childhood memories is practicing the guitar. I started playing the guitar alongside the piano when I was 13, but I quickly became fascinated with the guitar and spent day and night practicing. As I improved and was able to play more songs, I felt a great sense of joy. It was a different kind of accomplishment compared to playing the piano, which I had been learning since I was little. I feel that the music I practiced during this time has become the foundation of my current musical abilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://j-mataga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_mataga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/junichiro.mataga
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junichiro-mataga-20ab36170/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@s570820
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/j_mataga
Image Credits
Natsumi Mataga