Glenn Horiuchi (February 27, 1955 – June 3, 2000) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and shamisen player. He was a central figure in the development of the Asian American jazz movement.
He gave performances all around the world for example at the Berlin Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Mexico's Japan Fest, Seattle's Earshot Festival, Asian American Jazz Festival in San Francisco and Chicago, New York's Japan and Asia Societies, Los Angeles Festival, at Yale University, and Brown University.Glenn Horiuchi - Piano, Shamisen, Composition
Horiuchi performed with Joseph Jarman, Wadada Leo Smith, George E. Lewis, John Tchicai, Art Davis, Francis Wong, Miya Masaoka, Tatsu Aoki, William Roper, Mark Izu, and San Jose Taiko. He recorded for the Asian Improve and Soul Note labels.
He also lectured and gave workshops at universities around the U.S. such as U.C. Berkeley, Wesleyan University, Northeastern University, and Stanford University. Horiuchi had many diverse talents and interests: besides attending graduate school in mathematics he had work experience as an auto mechanic, construction worker, and music teacher. He also had a long history of student and community activism including the campaign for Japanese Americans to win Redress/Reparations for the World War II incarceration in American concentration camps.Glenn Horiuchi - Piano, Shamisen, Composition
He served as an Artist in Residence teaching at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California. He was also a Zen practitioner of the Kwan Um School of Zen.
Horiuchi was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in August 1999, and died on June 3, 2000. His final concert was held at the Japan America Theater a few months before his death.
Discography
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1988Oxnard BeetSoul NoteWith Francis Wong (tenor sax, flute), Taiji Miyagawa (bass), Leon Alexander (drums, vibes)1988?Next StepAsian Improv1989?Manzanar VoicesAsian Improv1989?Issei SpiritAsian Improv1991Poston SonataAsian Improvwith Lillian Nakano (shamisen)1992?Little Tokyo SuiteAsian Improvcassette only1993?Live in BerlinAsian Improvcassette only. With Francis Wong (tenor sax), Lillian Nakano (Shamisen)1994–95DewdropAsian ImprovWith William Roper (tabla, vocals), Francis Wong (tenor sax, clarinet, flute, vocals), Joseph Mitchell (percussion)1994–95Kenzo's VisionAsian Improvwith Francis Wong (tenor sax)1995Elegy for SarajevoAsian ImprovWith William Roper (tabla, vocals), Francis Wong (tenor sax, clarinet, flute, vocals), Joseph Mitchell (percussion)1995Hilltop ViewMusic & Arts1995Calling Is It and NowSoul NoteWith Francis Wong (tenor sax), Anders Swanson (bass), Jeanette Wrate (drums)1996MercyMusic & Artswith Francis Wong, Joseph Jarman (alto sax)1998?Pachinko Dream Track 10Music & ArtsJarman/Horiuchi/Wong1999Fair PlaySoul NoteWith William Roper (tabla, vocals), Francis Wong (tenor sax, flute, vocals), Jeanette Wrate (drums, vocals)
As a sideman
What's the Difference Between, Miya Masaoka, Victo 0058, 1998
Golden Hearts Remembrance, Leo Smith, Chap Chap CPCD 002, 1997
Pilgrimage, Francis Wong, Music and Arts CD-974, 1997
Devotee, Francis Wong/ Genny Lim, Asian Improv AIR-0030, 1997
The Asian American Experience, Primary Source Media 7909 (CD-Rom), 1997
Sounds like 1996: Music by Asian American Artists, IEL 0002 1996
RMB Sampler, various artists, Marc Sabatella, 1996
Family, Anthony Brown, Asian Improv AIR-0027, 1996
Ming, Francis Wong, Asian Improv AIR-0020, 1995
References
External links Glenn Horiuchi
See also Asian American jazz