T-Square (formerly known as The Square), stylized in all-uppercase T-SQUARE, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976.[1] They became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s along with other Japanese jazz bands.[2] They are known for songs such as "Truth", "Japanese Soul Brothers", "Takarajima", and "Omens of Love", among others.
During the first years simply The SQUARE was printed on the frontsides of their albums. After the renaming of the band to T-Square the imprint changed to T-SQUARE (all in Capital letters) and their typical logo became a capital letter T printed over a red square. The logo has been modified several times, reflecting the change of band names such as T-Square alpha (where an α sign was added to the logo), T-Square plus (where the text "plus" was added centered next to the T in smaller letters).[3]
"Truth" was used as the theme for Fuji Television's Formula One coverage from 1987 to 1998 and starting in 2012.[4] Special arrangements of this song were used as the theme for Japan's F1 2001 to 2006.[note 1]
The band has won, all told, 12 Japan Gold Disc Awards. In the 80s, "SPORTS",[6] "Truth",[7] "Yes, No",[8] and even their "F1 Grand Prix" compilation album won Gold Discs in the Jazz-Fusion category.[9] In the 90s, "Natural",[10] "Impressive",[11] "Human",[12] "Natsu no Wakusei",[13] "B.C. A.D."[14] and "Gravity" all won Gold Discs.[15] After more than two decades without Gold Discs, they've recently won back-to-back for 2021's "FLY! FLY! FLY!"[16] and 2022's "WISH" as part of the Instrumental Album of the Year category.[17]
History
The Square (1976–1988)
In 1976, The Square started as a small jazz fusion group in Meiji University with a very basic line-up, made of bassist Yuhji Nakamura, guitarist Masahiro Andoh, pianist Jun Hakamazuka and drummer Shunichi Harada.[18] According to Masahiro Andoh, the band's name was based on Madison Square Garden.[19] Hakamazuka was replaced by Junko Miyagi on keyboards.
Meanwhile, in the Nihon University of the Arts, saxophonist Takeshi Itoh and Drummer Michael S. Kawai played in a few other college bands together. When those disbanded, Kawai became fast friends with Andoh, replacing Harada on drums within The Square, and Takeshi Itoh made many guest appearances with the band, officially joining on saxophone and flutes, in 1977.[20]
With backing guitarist Yuhji Mikuriya, keyboardist Shiro Sagisu and percussionist Kiyohiko Senba joining in 1978, the band was signed to CBS/Sony and released their first studio album, Lucky Summer Lady.[21] It had a semi-generic, disco-type sound. Lead saxophonist Takeshi Itoh adopted the Lyricon as a side instrument. The Square would then begin a tradition of writing one to three songs with the Lyricon in every new album thereafter. As the years progressed, the number of members had dwindled from eight members (two keyboardists, two guitarists, a drummer, a Percussionist, a sax player and a bassist) to five (a drummer, a keyboardist, a guitarist, a sax player and a bassist). The group's sound had also evolved to a more rock-oriented music when Junko Miyagi was replaced by Prism (ja) keyboardist Daisaku Kume and Michael S. Kawai was replaced by drummer Jun Aoyama (better known as Tatsuro Yamashita's support drummer from 1979 to 2003). The band would also have vocalists, with Rockoon being the first of two albums to prominently feature one.[22] Jun Aoyama was later replaced by Eiji Shimizu on drums and Yuhji Nakamura was replaced by bassist Toyoyuki Tanaka in 1981. Tanaka's slap-bass influenced a tonal shift to the band.
In 1982, Tohru Hasebe replaced Shimizu and Hirotaka Izumi replaced Kume. Izumi eventually became the second longest-tenured keyboardist over 15 years in the band (1982–97). This would be the band's first consistent line-up, lasting until late 1985.[18] Hiroyuki Noritake would then replace Hasebe on drums that same year as their first long-term drummer. By the end of 1986, Mitsuru Sutoh replaced Toyoyuki Tanaka on bass, being the first long-term bassist in the group.[23] Takeshi Itoh would go on to swap his Lyricon – an instrument crafted in the 1970s with not many people to repair it[24] – for a mass-produced Yamaha WX7,[25] which he would further swap out for an EWI instead.[26]
In an attempt to not confuse the Western Audience with a name that sounds too close to "The Squares", "Truth" was released in the United States and Canada through Portrait Records, a sister imprint of Columbia and Epic Records and a subsidiary of Sony Records.[27] While this album's Japanese release still refers to the band as "The Square", Portrait Records' reprint would be the first to refer to them as "T-Square", and included the logo of a T and a Red Square later used in their albums.
Their first performance in the United States was at the Cat Club in New York City in December 1987[28][29] and it was released on Laserdisc early 1988, still as "The Square".[30]
T-Square (1988–2000)
Their 1988 album, "Yes, No" was released in Japan only, with no Western Reprint, and thus still referred to them as "The Square",[31] but they performed at the Roxy in Los Angeles on November 3 that same year as "T-Square".[32] This is the first concert to use the now-established T-Square logo onstage. In 1989, they released their first studio album, in no uncertain terms, now as "T-SQUARE", Wave.[33] The band would also appear alongside Ottottrio (with guitarist Hirokuni Korekata) and Casiopea in The Super Fusion that same year.[34] In 1990, saxophonist Masato Honda debuted with them as a backing saxophonist on the album T-Square Live (featuring F-1 Grand Prix Theme). By the end of 1990, Takeshi Itoh left the group to pursue a solo career in the US, and Honda replaced him in 1991.[23] Honda also composed the opening track from T-Square's New-S album, "Megalith".[35] Their second album with Honda, Impressive, begins with the song "Faces", which, like "Truth", came to be closely associated with Fuji TV broadcasts of Formula 1, more specifically, with Ayrton Senna's victories.[36] After the release of the Blue in Red album in 1997, Honda left the group to pursue his solo career. Takahiro Miyazaki would replace him. At the same time, Hirotaka Izumi left T-Square and was replaced by Tadashi Namba.[37] Namba played keyboards on the theme song from Gran Turismo, "Moon Over The Castle" (from Masahiro's solo album Andy's, released in 1996[38]) as well as the T-Square arrangement of the song, called "Knight's Song", from Blue in Red.[39] The group and all former and (at the time) current members played at Yaon de Asobu[note 2] for their 20th anniversary that same year.[40][41] At the end of 1998, Tadashi Namba was replaced by Keiji Matsumoto. The new line-up of Miyazaki, Noritake, Sutoh, Matsumoto and Andoh was kept until the group's brief disbandment in mid-2000.[37]
Unit era (2000–2004)
In mid-2000, T-Square were split into two separate groups. The Rhythm Section of Sutoh, Noritake and Matsumoto performed as Trio The Square.[42] With Takahiro Miyazaki leaving his role as a sax player, Takeshi Itoh performed and recorded with Masahiro Andoh for the first time in a decade. The songs they wrote became their album, Friendship, and they had to employ session musicians to record. However, the Friendship Live performance had ex long-term drummer, Hiroyuki Noritake, along with support bassist Kiyoshi Murakami and keyboardist Keizoh Kawano, the latter of whom started in the band as a support member, eventually to become the longest tenured keyboardist over 20 years with T-Square. In 2001, T-Square formed a side project that pursued hard rock sounds, T-Square Plus.[43] Fence of Defense guitarist Kenji Kitajima, former Seikima-II bassist Shunsuke "Xenon" Ishikawa and session keyboardist Takehiro Kawabe joined them briefly in 2002.[44] After that, the band no longer used session musicians.[45]
In 2003, T-Square released the album Spirits under their original name "The Square", and retained some of their original members (partly due to T-Square's 25th anniversary that year[46]) and kept their newcomer, Keizoh Kawano. The line-up was Itoh, Noritake, Sutoh, Kawano, Izumi and Andoh.[47] They released another album, T Comes Back, that featured new arrangements of some of their best known songs.[48]
Return to the band form (2004–2019)
In 2004, Keizoh Kawano became an official keyboardist, and Katsuji Morioka joined and replaced Mitsuru Sutoh on bass. Only a few months after the release of their album, "Groove Globe", Satoshi Bandoh replaced Hiroyuki Noritake on Drums. At the end of 2004, the group made a band form for the second time.[49] In 2005, not long after the release of "Passion Flower", Morioka was replaced by Shingo Tanaka as support bassist, and they continued to turn with this lineup, seen in the "Passion Flower Live" DVD.[50] T-Square's original drummer, Michael S. Kawai, returned as a behind-the-scenes percussionist and producer from 2004 to 2008.[note 3]
In order to promote their 30th anniversary, the band formed T-Square Super Band that combined their former and (at the time) current members.[56] The line-up was Andoh, Itoh, Miyazaki, Tanaka, Sutoh, Izumi, Kawano, Noritake, and Bandoh.[57] After the end of the Wonderful Days tour,[58] the group added even more former members to form T-Square Super Special Band and played on Yaon de Asobu for their 30th anniversary show.[59] This show was released in February 2009 as The Square ~ T-Square since 1978: 30th Anniversary Festival.[60] Their 2009 album Discoveries was sold with a DVD which chronicled T-Square performing and rehearsing in 2008.[61]
In 2010, T-Square released a brand new album, Jikan Ryoko (時間旅行). This album was meant to showcase more of the songwriting abilities of the younger members of the group.[62] In the summer of that same year, T-Square rerecorded some of their older songs and released them in October as an album called Takara no Uta (宝曲), with T-Square plays The Square as a subtitle.[63]
T-Square released another album, Nine Stories, in April 2011.[64] Some current and former T-Square members would tour with Satoshi Bandoh to promote his solo album, Happy Life!, in late 2011.[65] T-Square recorded another T-Square plays The Square album, Yume no Uta (夢曲) released in October 2011, much like the year prior.[66] Keizoh Kawano recorded and released his own solo album, Dreams, in November.[67] At the end of 2011, they performed a new song, "Bird of Wonder", which was released with their 2012 album Wings.[68] The group later released another cover album in 2012, Niji no Uta (虹曲), this time employing the help of special guest musicians, such as jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita.[69]
T-Square again formed "T-Square Super Band" in promotion of their 35th anniversary.[70] They retained all members of the Super Band from 2008, including percussionist Kiyohiko Semba and excluding pianist Hirotaka Izumi.[71] A picture was included upon the release of the album Smile, reading something related to "Itoh's resignation", making fans believe that Takeshi Itoh would once again leave the band. Itoh only performed on two tracks of another 2013 album, History, but did not leave the band.[72]
The 40th T-Square album, Paradise, was released in July 2015, being one of ten T-Square albums (along with Lucky Summer Lady,[21]Midnight Lover,[77]Make Me a Star,[78]Magic,[79]Kyakusenbi no Yuuwaku (脚線美の誘惑),[80]Stars and the Moon,[81]S.P.O.R.T.S.,[82]Yes, No,[31] and Friendship[83]) not to be released in the spring.[84]Paradise was the first T-Square album to be released on iTunes and Spotify in the United States, along with their following album from 2016, Treasure Hunter.[85] T-Square's 1982–1985 lineup performed a first concert in Yokohama since 1985.[86]
In 2017, T-Square performed two separate concerts at Blue Note Tokyo under the name "The Square Reunion". The first one included their 1982–1985 lineup of Masahiro Andoh, Takeshi Itoh, Tohru Hasebe, Toyoyouki Tanaka, and Hirotaka Izumi with Keizoh Kawano playing backing synth;[87] the second one included their 1987–1990 lineup of Masahiro Andoh, Takeshi Itoh, Hiroyuki Noritake, Mitsuru Sutoh, and Hirotaka Izumi with Keizoh Kawano playing backing synth.[88] T-Square released the album REBIRTH on April 26.[89]
In 2018, T-Square released two albums, City Coaster in April[90] and It's a Wonderful Life! in November, the latter under the name "T-Square and The Square Reunion".[91] "It's a Wonderful Life!" was also the name of their 40th anniversary concert. This particular concert included a special guest appearance by the Nishiarai Junior High School Brass Band Club, who performed "Takarajima". This concert also included Daisaku Kume, who hadn't played with T-Square since their 20th anniversary in 1998.[92]
T-Square Alpha (2019–2022)
T-Square had planned to record their next album Horizon in Los Angeles, but on February 6, 2019, their keyboardist Keizoh Kawano was hospitalized due to an intracerebral hemorrhage which paralyzed the left side of his body. Due to the abrupt changes, the T-Square members were not free to travel to the U.S. to stay and record the album, so Philippe Saisse, who hadn't played with T-Square since the T-Square and Friends album Miss You In New York from 1995, but played on Satoshi Bandoh's album Step By Step from 2016, offered to finish the keyboard parts.[93] They managed to release Horizon in April 2019.[94] The new formation, with Saisse replacing Kawano temporarily, was then called T-Square Alpha, indicating the name change also by adding an alpha sign to their logo, and they used this name while touring to promote Horizon in concerts.[95]
T-Square scouted Akito Shirai as a session keyboardist.[96] With both Shirai and Kawano providing synthesizer parts, the band recorded and released AI Factory to a two-month delay as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[97] On October 28, 2020, T-Square released a new self-cover album titled Crème de la Crème, part of which includes a hand-picked collection of Keizoh Kawano's best songs.[98] This was T-Square's last album within Kawano, who would continue activities such as working as a composer.[93]
At some point during the end of 2020, T-Square's albums released prior to 2015 became available to all streaming services.[99][100]
On February 1, 2021, Masahiro Andoh announced that he would leave T-Square after releasing their upcoming album (not yet named at the time) and completing their 2021 tour, wishing to continue activities as a solo guitarist.[101][102] At the same time, after Masahiro Andoh's departure, Takeshi Itoh and Satoshi Bandoh announced they would form T-Square Alpha, and months later, it was announced that guitarist Yuma Hara would take Andoh's spot.[103][104] T-Square released the album FLY! FLY! FLY! in April 2021,[105] which was awarded the Golden Disc Award 2022 for the instrumental album of the year by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).[106]
On April 26, 2021, Hirotaka Izumi died suddenly due to acute heart failure.[107] Accordingly, T-Square performed concerts of mostly Izumi-penned T-Square songs that month. They would continue to hold Izumi memorial concerts yearly since 2022.[note 4]
T-Square toured to honor Masahiro Andoh's farewell in two concerts.[112] T-Square's 2021 year-end special live shows saw Keiji Matsumoto perform for the first time since 2000.[113]
On May 18, 2022, T-Square's 49th Album, WISH was released.[114] This album marked the first time in close to 25 years that Masato Honda and Keiji Matsumoto recorded Studio Parts with T-Square.[115] This album was also awarded the RIAJ's Golden Disc Award 2023 for Best Instrumental Album.[116]
T-Square Alpha X, 45th anniversary (2022–2023)
Masato Honda and Takahiro Miyazaki performed together in September 2022.[117] With T-Square's "Year End" Shows in December 2022, Masato Honda performed with the T-Square Alpha Lineup, herein referred to as T-Square Alpha X.[118] This new formation indicated the name change also with the X in its name referring to the last letter in the term "Double Sax", and they used this name to promote their 45th anniversary.[119]
On January 18, 2023, T-Square released a digital album of their Live Concert from December 31, 2021,[120] and, on March 1, 2023, a digital album of their Concert Tour from July 3, 2022.[121]
Their 50th album VENTO DE FELICIDADE was released on May 31, 2023.[122][123] This release was commemorated with two concerts at Blue Note Tokyo in June.[124][125]
The T-Square Alpha X Lineup performed on a Blue Note Tokyo special event titled Jazz Fusion Summit 2023 on July 17.[126]
T-Square's 45th Anniversary Concert, held on October 21, 2023, in the Tokyo International Forum Hall A, included Kazumi Watanabe, Yuji Toriyama, the Nishiarai Junior High School Brass Band Club, and the Masato Honda Big Band Station as special guest performers. This concert also included Masato Honda, who, unlike Takeshi Itoh and Takahiro Miyazaki, hadn't participated in the anniversary concerts in 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018.[127]
Later that same night, in an attempt to prolong the activities of the band, the T-Square Fans and Staff Facebook Page made a post announcing that, in order to create more music and potentially celebrate a 50th Anniversary and beyond, they were opening Online Auditions, seeking new band members and/or composers. The Deadline was December 31, 2023.[128]
T-Square's 2023 year-end special live shows saw Kenshin Sugimura play with them for the first time.[129]
New-member audition (2024)
2024 is a year for T-Square to regroup and audition new members. Thus, after 46 years being signed to a Major Label and releasing at least one album per year, the band hasn't recorded or released a studio album. Instead, Guitarist Shuya Kameyama and Keyboardist Yuichi Hasegawa were elected as finalists. Their audition was commemorated with two concerts at the Marunouchi Cotton Club in August 2024.[130]
The success of Jazz Fusion Summit 2023 led to the commission of a 2024 edition where Masato Honda and Kiyohiko Semba guest performed with T-Square.[131]
T-Square's 2024 year-end special live shows had the feature "Double Sax T-Square" due to the collaboration between Takeshi Itoh and Masato Honda.[132] For the Chicken George performances, Shuya Kameyama appeared as a substitute for Kazuma Sotozono.[133]
T-Square's music, as well as the jazz fusion genre as a whole, would heavily influence early video game music. Most notably, video game composer Koji Kondo would take inspiration from the 1984 T-Square song "Sister Marian" when composing the main theme for the 1985 platformer game Super Mario Bros.[135] Many other video game series would later be rumored to have taken inspiration from T-Square music, including Street Fighter, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more. Members of T-Square have also worked on video game music directly.[136]
The original saxophonist and second longest-running member of T-Square overall. He left the group at the end of 1990 to pursue his solo career and returned to the group in late 2000, starting with the album Friendship.[83] As Masahiro Andoh resigned from T-Square in 2021, Itoh is essentially the Bandleader.
Masato Honda (1991–1998 as Full-Time member; 2022–present as Support Member)
The second saxophonist of T-Square. He first recorded with the band in 1990 and was welcomed in the original Farewell & Welcome concert in early 1991, replacing Takeshi Itoh.[139] He is best known for songs like Megalith, Little League Star,[140]Traffic Jam,[141]Summer Mirage (夏の蜃気楼, Natsu no Shinkirou), Bad Moon,[142]Samurai Metropolis,[143] etc. He left T-Square after the release of Blue in Red in 1997 to begin his solo career as well, having only attended their 20th Anniversary Concert in 1998.[144] After leaving, he would work with musicians such as bassist Tomohito Aoki, trumpeter Eric Miyashiro, guitarist Jun Kajiwara, etc.,[145] and form Voice of Elements with former T-Square members Keiji Matsumoto, Mitsuru Sutoh, and Hiroyuki Noritake.[146] Masato contributed brass arrangements and recorded Saxophone parts (and even recorded trading solos with his predecessor, Itoh, on the title track, "As You Wish") for T-Square's 2022 Album, Wish, 24 years after leaving the band.[114] Honda returned as a member of the newly renamed T-Square Alpha X after a run of "Welcome Back" concerts in December 2022.[118] Consequently, he would appear on T-Square's 50th Studio Album, Vento de Felicidade and the 45th anniversary concert that would come soon after.[123][127]
Due to his capabilities as a Multi-Instrumentalist, the studio recordings of Human and Welcome to the Rose Garden had the brass section being all played by himself. This was emphasized in the credit of those two albums and many live performances, in which he was credited simply as playing "Woodwind & Brass Instruments".[147][148] This concept was taken even further when Honda released and produced his second solo album, Carry Out, entirely on his own. On this album, Honda played Woodwind and Brass Instruments, as usual, but he additionally programmed Synthesizers, played Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums and provided vocals.[149]
The band's third, and shortest-tenured full-time saxophonist, being welcomed in the second Farewell & Welcome concert in 1998 as the replacement of Masato Honda.[150] He appeared as the sole leading saxophonist in the studio album Gravity in 1998,[151]Sweet & Gentle in 1999,[152] and finally, their self-titled album T-SQUARE in early 2000.[153] However, the album Vocal2 in 2002 was his first recording with the band since his departure.[154] Furthermore, he has maintained his solo career[155] and appeared in all anniversary concerts since the 20th anniversary special (being the first overall) in 1998.[note 5]
All 3 Saxophonists worked together for one album, Four Nine.[157]
The founding guitarist, main composer and leader of T-Square. He is one of three guitarists (alongside Casiopea guitarist Issei Noro and guitarist Hirokuni Korekata) in the supergroup Ottottrio and has also been well known for songs such as "Moon Over the Castle" in the Gran Turismo series.[158] Briefly disbanded the group shortly after the release of their self-titled album in 2000, as he initially left the band and wanted to find a new guitarist to continue the band's activities, but returned with saxophonist Takeshi Itoh later that year.[159] He left the band in 2021 after the release of the album Fly, Fly, Fly![160]
Yuhji Mikuriya (1977–1978)
Appeared in the band's debut albums Lucky Summer Lady and Midnight Lover in 1978.[21][77] He also formed a guitar duo with Masahiro Andoh called anmi2. His role is more of a Rhythm Guitarist, in contrast to Andoh playing lead.
Yuma Hara (2021–2023, Support Member)
A guitarist with only 2 solo studio albums to his name, but also an Arranger for several J-Pop artists, who began performing with T-Square alpha on concerts at Blue Note Tokyo in October 2021.[161][162] His first album alongside T-Square was their 2022 album "Wish".[114]
Kazuma Sotozono (ja) (2022–present, Support Member)
Began recording on T-Square's 2022 album "Wish",[114] accompanied the band as a support member at a number of their Year End Live shows of that year,[118] and continued to perform with the group since, including recording on their 45th Anniversary album "Vento De Felicidade"[123] and performing on the 45th Anniversary concert.[127]
Shuya Kameyama (2024–Present)
One of two musicians introduced as an Audition Finalist in August 2024.
Replaced Jun Hakamazuka on keyboards in 1977 and has also worked in the band's first three studio albums, also leaving in 1979. Her role was briefly filled by keyboardist and songwriter Izumi Kobayashi in mid-1979 only.[163][29]
Was a Support Keyboardist in The Square's first studio albums. He left between early and mid-1979 and went on to write 2,000-plus Songs, TV/Advertisement Jingles and Incidental Music for Films and Anime series, most notably, Kimagure Orange Road and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Was part of Prism[164] before joining The Square at the end of 1979. His first studio appearance was in 1980. He left in 1982, but would appear in the 20th,[144] 40th,[92] and 45th Anniversary concerts.[127]
Hirotaka Izumi (ja) (1982–1998 as Full Member; 2003 and onward as Occasional Support-Member) (died April 26, 2021)
Replaced Daisaku Kume and joined at the same time as Tohru Hasebe. He was the first long-term keyboardist of the band. He composed songs with examples consisting of Omens of Love, Forgotten Saga,[165]Takarajima,[166]Cape Light,[167]Cry for the Moon,[168]Twilight in Upper West,[169] etc. He officially departed from the band in 1997, but he would sometimes be called in as a guest musician for T-Square Anniversary/Classic Lineup Reunion concerts for the 2000s and 2010s until his death due to acute heart failure on April 26, 2021. Two of the songs that were composed by him, Omens of Love and Takarajima had a brass version rearranged by Toshio Mashima and became famous as the standard songs for many brass bands in Japan.[170][171]
In addition to playing Piano, Izumi originally handled Auxiliary Synthesizer work (Brass Parts, String Parts, sometimes even going as far as to actually help write parts for Brass and String Sections in the Studio Version of their songs), but since 1997, expressed a want to simply play piano.
T-Square has hosted concerts in an annual cycle (since 2022) with the setlist mainly consisting of Izumi songs as a show of respect for his tenure in the band, punctuated by his Classically inclined, Jazz & Pop-friendly style of songwriting that has become a trademark of not only his own sound but that of The Square in the 1980s and 90s.[note 6]
Joined the band during Farewell & Welcome Live 1998 as the replacement of Hirotaka Izumi.[150] He would then appear in Gravity[151] and the 20th anniversary reunion.[144] He left T-Square a few months later.[note 7]
Keiji Matsumoto (ja) (1998–1999, 2021–present as "Special Support"; 1999–2000)
Replaced Tadashi Namba and joined T-Square at the end of 1998 as a support member. He became an official member of T-Square after the release of Sweet & Gentle in 1999. He left the group after its dissolution to work as a session pianist. Notably, he has recorded and performed with the likes of Masato Honda,[175] Masayoshi Takanaka[176] and The Super Mario Players.[177] In December 2021, Matsumoto made a full return to T-Square as a support member,[113] marking his first activities with the band since the album Vocal2 in 2002.[154]
The longest-tenured keyboardist of T-Square (with 4 years as a Support Member and 16 years as an official keyboardist), who joined in late 2000 as a support keyboardist.[43] His first documented appearance with T-Square is in their "Friendship Live" concert video.[178] Kawano's predecessor, Hirotaka Izumi, would sometimes play grand piano as a guest in T-Square concerts, while Kawano would perform Auxiliary Synth work.[43][44] Kawano became the main keyboardist of T-Square in 2004, a role he held for 15 years until he became hospitalized with a stroke in 2019, leaving him unable to use the left side of his body. His role was filled by keyboardist Philippe Saisse, Yudai Satoh, and Akito Shirai. Crème de la Crème was his last album with T-Square as an official member. However, he intends to continue activities like contributing to some of the compositions for T-Square's future music.
Performed on the T-Square and Friends album "Miss You In New York" in 1995,[179] T-Square drummer Satoshi Bandoh's album "Step By Step!" in 2016,[180] and the Special Tour supporting their 2019 Album "Horizon".[95]
Before performing with T-Square itself, he performed with Hirotaka Izumi, Kiyoshi Murakami and Masami Itagaki in 2008, for Izumi's "Live 0801" Concert Video.[182] Little more than a decade later, he performed on their Live Tour to promote their 2019 Album "Horizon".[96] He also appeared in one of Masahiro Andoh's "Farewell Tour" performances alongside T-Square,[112] with his first Studio Recording in T-Square being 2022's "WISH".[114]
Yuichi Hasegawa (2024–Present)
One of two musicians introduced as an Audition Finalist in August 2024.
Bass
Toyoyuki Tanaka
Mitsuru Sutoh
Kiichiro Komobuchi (tour support)
Shingo Tanaka (support)
Taiki Tsuyama (album support)
Yuhji Nakamura (1976–1980)
The Square's original bassist. He appeared in the first four albums and was replaced by Toyoyuki Tanaka in 1981.
Replaced Yuhji Nakamura and first appeared in the studio album Magic, adding slap-bass to give the band a more rock and funk sound, as well as composing songs such as Rodan,[167]Between,[183]Stingray,[184]Stimulator,[165] and Overhead Kick.[166] He left the band after the release of S.P.O.R.T.S. in 1986.
Mitsuru Sutoh (ja) (1986–2000 as Full Member; 2003 and onward as an Occasional Support Member)
The first long-term bassist of T-Square. He joined the group at the end of 1986 and debuted in one of their most famous albums, Truth in 1987.[185] He composed songs such as "Nab That Chap",[140] "Dooba Wooba" (alongside Hiroyuki Noritake),[186] "Sunnyside Cruise",[148] "Pioggia Di Capri",[187] "From the Bottom of My Heart",[143] "Explorer", "Ms. Bracing",[188] "Scrambling",[189] "Our Fortress", and "An Evening Glow".[190] He left after the group disbanded in 2000, and returned for the band's 25th anniversary in 2003 with Hirotaka Izumi.[45] He also formed the band TRIX alongside former Casiopea drummer Noriaki Kumagai.[191]
First appeared in the Year-End performance in 2003.[192] He also appeared in the studio albums Groove Globe in 2004[193] and Passion Flower in 2005.[194]
Shingo Tanaka (2005–present, Support Member)
Debuted with T-Square during their live performance of the album Passion Flower in 2005 as a "Special Support" member.[50] He is the band's second long-term bassist.
Sohta Morimitsu (2021–2022, Support Member)
Played on T-Square albums Fly! Fly! Fly! in 2021[105] and Wish in 2022.[114]
The replacement of Shunichi Harada. He appeared in the band's first three studio albums,[21][77][78] and has worked with T-Square after, with his latest appearance being in the 40th Anniversary concert in 2018.[92]
Jun Aoyama (ja) (1979–1980) (died December 3, 2013)
Replaced Michael Kawai and joined at the end of 1979, appearing in the album Rockoon released in 1980.[22] He was best known as Tatsuro Yamashita's support drummer from 1979 to 2003.[195] He was also in another band after leaving The Square, known as Prism.[164]
Eiji Shimizu (1981)
Replaced Aoyama on Drums and joined the band alongside bassist Toyoyuki Tanaka in 1981, appearing in the album Magic.[79] He would leave the band with keyboardist Daisaku Kume in mid-1982.
Before joining The Square in 1982, he was in ANKH that formed in 1980.[196] His first appearance with The Square was in the album Temptation of Shapely Legs.[80] He left The Square in late 1985, but is one of many past members who have appeared in multiple reunion concerts.
Hiroyuki Noritake (ja) (1985–2000 as Full Member; 2000–2004 and after as Occasional Support)
Replaced Tohru Hasebe on Drums at the end of 1985. He is T-Square's second longest-tenured drummer (for 15 years as an official member and, subsequently, as a Support Member for 4), also being a co-composer of the track Dooba Wooba! from the album Wave in 1989,[186] with his first individual composition of the band being No More Tears from Natsu no Wakusei (夏の惑星) in 1994.[142] He has also composed tracks such as One Step Beyond,[188]Yuh-Ja,[187]Tooi Taiko,[143]Eurostar[197] etc. He became a "Special Support" member during the band's return in late 2000. He would leave T-Square in mid-2004 after nearly 20 years with the band. Following the Casiopea vs. The Square concert in 2003, he also formed a drummer duo with Casiopea drummer Akira Jimbo that same year known as Synchronized DNA (which would also collaborate with Casiopea the next year[198][199]).
T-Square's current and longest-tenured drummer (with 20 years as an official member), who joined in the summer of 2004.[200] Aside from T-Square, he has maintained a solo career with 3 albums to his name,[65][201][202] he has appeared as a Support drummer for Dimension albums,[note 8] and has also contributed to some famous video game soundtracks such as Mario Kart 8[136] and the Gran Turismo series.[209] Due to his busy schedule, his role was filled by Maoki Yamamoto[210] and Senri Kawaguchi.[211][212]
The Square's original percussionist. He was an official member since the group's debut up to Rockoon in 1980. However, he would continue to work in most future albums as a guest musician.
Timeline
Offshoot bands
The Square Reunion/T-Square Family
In order to differentiate from the Current/Ongoing group known as T-Square (who are officially just Itoh and Bandoh as of 2022), Since September 2000 (beginning, specifically, with the Live Album "Moment – Memorial Live at Chicken George"[note 9]), the band has occasionally held throwback concerts, going under their old name of The Square (with the word Reunion added in 2017), with their Classic Lineups from the 80s and 90s, performing almost-exclusively their songs from that era.[37] Most-recently, this idea has expanded to where other members, who joined and left after 1989, appear as part of these concerts. Thus, the name "T-Square Family" refers to any random lineup of those who were formerly officially in the band, or were at the very least support members, and are appearing for one-off concerts.[110]
AnMi2/AnMitsuru
AnMi2, named after Anmitsu, are a guitar duo comprising the first two guitarists of T-Square, Masahiro Andoh and Yuhji Mikuriya. For their 10th anniversary, the duo performed with fellow ex-T-Square Bassist Mitsuru Sutoh and was renamed "AnMitsuru".[214]
Trio The Square/The Masato Honda Band/Voice of Elements
This trio first appeared in the T-Square albums Sweet & Gentle in 1999 and T-SQUARE in 2000 with keyboardist Keiji Matsumoto, drummer Hiroyuki Noritake and bassist Mitsuru Sutoh as Trio The Square. They became a standalone group around the time Andoh initially left T-Square, resulting in the dissolution of the band form.[215]
Later in 2000, Hiroyuki Noritake and Keiji Matsumoto, along with bassist Tomohito Aoki and guitarist Jun Kajiwara, would become the backing band of former T-Square saxophonist, Masato Honda.[175] The group didn't have an official name, but it was collectively dubbed by fans as "The Masato Honda Band".[216]
The backing band was put on hold in 2005, then fully deactivated in early mid-2006 to make way for Voice of Elements, which also featured T-Square alumni Hiroyuki Noritake, Mitsuru Sutoh and Keiji Matsumoto.[146] Tomohito Aoki, the original bassist of the Masato Honda Band, died of acute heart failure in June that year, and was replaced by Sutoh for following Masato Honda Band activities. Voice of Elements, as the band was called when they returned in 2006,[217] continued their occasional performances since 2007.[218] Both Keiji Matsumoto and Masato Honda are credited as guest performers on the 2022 T-Square album, "WISH",[114] while both Hiroyuki Noritake and Mitsuru Sutoh are credited as guest performers on the 2023 T-Square album, "VENTO DE FELICIDADE" alongside Matsumoto and Honda.[123]
This group was a fusion supergroup led by 3 guitarists: T-Square's Masahiro Andoh, Casiopea's Issei Noro and Rocket Jam's Hirokuni Korekata. Along with Masahiro Andoh, Drummer Hiroyuki Noritake was another T-Square musician who was part of this group since 1988.[219][220] Also, T-Square bassist Mitsuru Sutoh (who would leave T-Square in their brief disbandment two years later) and keyboardist Keiji Matsumoto (who would join T-Square a few months later) recorded with them at the end of 1998.[221] Noro and Korekata appeared in T-Square's 35th Anniversary concert in 2013.[74]
KoreNoS/Rocket Jam
Stylized as KoreNoS, this band was formed in 1998 by Hirokuni Korekata, Hiroyuki Noritake and Mitsuru Sutoh.[222] They released two studio albums, "Asian Street Style" (2004)[223] and "Abracadabra" (2005).[224] They also released a live album in 2007.[225] Hirokuni Korekata also created a new band named Rocket Jam with bassist Shingo Tanaka and drummer Satoshi Bandoh in 2013.[226]
Casiopea vs. The Square
Although "Casiopea vs. The Square" was performed as a one-off event in 2003 (the DVD[227] and the CD[228] have different audio sources, suggesting that there may have been 2 shows[45]), this extension of 2 different jazz fusion bands goes back to 1989. All members of T-Square, Casiopea, and Ottottrio played in The Super Fusion in 1989[34] and Kiyohiko Semba, former percussionist of The Square, played on one of the songs from Casiopea's 1993 album, "Dramatic".[229] A year later, both groups played an arrangement of The Beatles' "Get Back" on a Japanese Broadcast.[230] 3 years after that, Casiopea, T-Square and Jimsaku played at Tokyo Jam 1997, with the same song.[231] In 2003, both groups played (with some of the players replaced) at the event called Casiopea vs. The Square.[note 10] Both groups still have somewhat of an alliance, seeing as Casiopea's 1993 – 1997 drummer, Noriaki Kumagai and former T-Square bassist, Mitsuru Sutoh are both in TRIX.[191] And Sax player Takeshi Itoh performed with Casiopea's Keyboardist, Minoru Mukaiya in 2006.[233]
Synchronized DNA
Drummers Hiroyuki Noritake of T-Square and Akira Jimbo of Casiopea formed a duo in 2003, after the "Casiopea vs. The Square" concert. They were later featured in Casiopea's 2005 album "Signal", the aforementioned band's last album before their hiatus the year after.[199]
Pyramid
A group that features pianist Hirotaka Izumi (who would die in 2021), drummer Akira Jimbo and guitarist Yuji Toriyama, along with other studio musicians. They have released four studio albums and one digital album.[234]
Akasaka Trio
Guitarist Masahiro Andoh, Drummer Hiroyuki Noritake and Bassist Mitsuru Sutoh, all former T-Square members from Classic Lineups of the mid-80s to 2000, formed the Akasaka Trio in 2022, following Andoh's exit from T-Square.[235]
As support members for other artists
After the dissolution of Trio the Square, Mitsuru Sutoh and Keiji Matsumoto would later become backing musicians for Japanese a cappella pop group, 'The Gospellers'.[236][237] Sutoh also plays for TRIX (since that band's formation in 2004), led by Noriaki Kumagai (Casiopea drummer from 1993 – 1996).
Drummer Hiroyuki Noritake, keyboardist Keizoh Kawano, and bassist Ko Shimizu (from Naniwa Express) would record as support members for Japanese fusion/rock guitarist Kumi Adachi in 2007–2008.[238]
T-Square's current bassist Shingo Tanaka is a former part of The 39's/The Thank You's (39 in Japanese can be pronounced as san kyū (サンキュー), which resembles Thank You). The 39's were a band that accompanied concerts performed by Vocaloids, specifically the "39's Giving Day" concert series (it being another pun, this time on "Thanksgiving Day"), although the concerts themselves wouldn't necessarily be held on said day. During the final 39's Giving Day Concert in March 2012, the band were also accompanied by Takahiro Miyazaki.[239]
The Cover Art of this album is a Brick Wall, setting the tone for a possible break-up to this band.
The Final Album with Takahiro Miyazaki as Leading Saxophonist.
Trio The Square was formed after this album. The trio was composed of Mitsuru Sutoh, Hiroyuki Noritake and Keiji Matsumoto.
Masahiro Andoh, the band's only member who hadn't left his role since 1976, believed the band has reached its limit and couldn't go much farther. He composed more music which became the next album.
Takeshi Itoh returns as Leading Saxophonist for the first time since 1990. At this point, only he and Andoh are considered T-Square members, and much of the album consists of overseas musicians as Session Players.
For a brief moment, Andoh and Itoh are joined by their 1987–97 Rhythm Section, Drummer Hiroyuki Noritake, Bassist Mitsuru Sutoh and Hirotaka Izumi, though Izumi now strictly plays piano, and newcomer Keizoh Kawano adds auxiliary synthesizers.
Japanese Soul Brothers (1979) (NHK broadcast)[270]
The first official recording of this song that isn't from a Radio or TV Broadcast, was in their 1985 Live Album.[256]
The first official Studio recording of this song is from their 1998 Album, "Gravity", as a Bonus Track, thanking the fans for supporting T-Square for 20 years.[151]
Casiopea, now known in its fourth iteration as Casiopea-P4, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976 by guitarist Issei Noro, bassist Tetsuo Sakurai, drummer Tohru "Rika" Suzuki, and keyboardist Hidehiko Koike. In 1977, keyboardist Minoru Mukaiya and drummer Takashi Sasaki replaced Koike and Suzuki respectively. They recorded their debut album Casiopea (1979) with guest appearances by American jazz musicians Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, and David Sanborn. In 1980, drummer Akira Jimbo joined the band. Casiopea has released over 40 albums in Japan and around the world.
Masahiro Andō is a Japanese composer and guitarist from Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. From 1976 to 2021, he was the guitarist and leader of the Japanese jazz-fusion band T-Square. He was also one-third of Ottottrio, a supergroup led by three Japanese guitarists: himself, Hirokuni Korekata of Rocket Jam and Issei Noro of Casiopea.
Jimsaku is a Japanese drum and bass duo formed by Akira Jimbo and Tetsuo Sakurai in 1990, after they left the jazz/fusion band Casiopea. They released 10 albums and one "Best of" collection, and disbanded in 1998. The name is a portmanteau of the two band members' last names, Jimbo and Sakurai.
Issei Noro is a Japanese jazz fusion guitarist who is one of the founding members and the main composer of the band Casiopea. He has released 6 solo albums and a compilation. He also works as an instructor of a guitar clinic, and as a producer.
Ottottrio are a Japanese jazz fusion band.
Lucky Summer Lady is the debut studio album by the Japanese jazz fusion group T-Square, who were then known as The Square. It was released on September 21, 1978.
Midnight Lover is the second studio album of the Japanese jazz fusion group T-Square, who were then known as The Square. It was released on December 21, 1978.
Make Me A Star is the third album by Japanese jazz fusion band "The Square", recorded and released in 1979. This is also the first album on which saxophonist Takeshi Itoh used the Lyricon.
Farewell and Welcome Live 1998 is a live recording by the Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square released on July 18, 1998 and made available on VHS. The concert was held to bid farewell to Masato Honda and Hirotaka Izumi who were leaving the band, and to welcome their replacements Takahiro Miyazaki and Tadashi Namba.
R.E.S.O.R.T. is the tenth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square, who was then called The Square. It was released on April 1, 1985 under Columbia Records. This was the last studio album with drummer Tohru Hasebe, who would leave the band after the tour. Hiroyuki Noritake would replace him in the next album. The album has also been released on Laserdisc.
Rockoon is the fourth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square. It was released on April 1, 1980.
Magic is the fifth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square, who were then known as The Square. It was released on November 1, 1981.
Adventures is the eighth studio album by Japanese jazz fusion band T-Square, then known as The Square. It was released on April 1, 1984.
S.P.O.R.T.S. is the eleventh studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square, who was then known as The Square. It was released on March 5, 1986. This album is the first appearance of one of their most popular songs, Takarajima, composed by Hirotaka Izumi, and is also the first studio appearance of first long-term drummer, Hiroyuki Noritake. Bassist Toyoyuki Tanaka later left the band after this album's tour, and would be replaced by Mitsuru Sutoh starting from the next album Truth. This is their first album to win a Japan Gold Disc Award.
Truth is the twelfth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square, who was then known as The Square. It was released on April 1, 1987.
Yes, No is the thirteenth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square. It was released on February 26, 1988 through Columbia Records and was the last studio album by the band released under the name The Square, though by this point they were already Touring the United States as T-Square.
New-S is the sixteenth studio album by Japanese Jazz fusion band T-Square, released in 1991. This album marks the introduction of saxophonist Masato Honda to the band, after Takeshi Itoh left the group.
Masato Honda, is a Japanese saxophone player, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born in Nakamura City, Kochi Prefecture, he graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. He is most well known for being a member of the band T-Square and appearing on Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack with The Seatbelts.
Hirotaka Izumi was a Japanese keyboardist, pianist, and composer who was a former member of the jazz fusion band T-Square. Besides T-Square, he was also active in the bands Pyramid (ピラミッド) and Voyage (ヴォヤージュ).
Hiroyuki Noritake is a Japanese jazz fusion drummer and a lecturer at the Showa Academia Musicae.
↑ Originally, Namba was scheduled to produce the new album, but was not scheduled to join. He was suddenly welcomed as a member after Izumi left the band, but it seems that it was difficult for Namba (who is based in the United States) to join.
↑ Ryoh Hayashi supported The Square on keyboards.[213]
↑ The joint concert is not the first time Casiopea and T-Square have performed together; they have performed together many times before, at events such as Crossover Japan.[232]
↑ Andoh said that Tanaka is not counted as a member because if he were officially added, it would interfere with his work outside of the band due to his contract with the agency.[253]
↑ Hiroyuki Noritake; Mitsuru Sutoh; Keiji Matsumoto (June 16, 2020). Trio The Square – Live 2000 – Full (Live music) (in Japanese). hyperbadmoon (original uploader); Ralphy Jang – High Quality Music World (re-uploader). Atoss Corporation. Retrieved July 16, 2022– via YouTube.
↑ Kondo, Masayoshi (2023). "Photo Gallery & Live Report". Jazz Fusion Summit 2023 | BLUE NOTE TOKYO 35th Presents (in Japanese). Tsuneo Koga (photo). Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
↑ Harada, Kazunori (2024). "Photo Gallery & Live Report". Jazz Fusion Summit 2024 | BLUE NOTE TOKYO Presents (in Japanese). Tsuneo Koga (photo). Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
↑ T-Square (October 27, 2021). "T-SQUARE alpha -DAY1-". Live Reports (in Japanese). Photo by Takuo Sato. Blue Note Tokyo. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
↑ T-Square (October 27, 2021). "T-SQUARE alpha -DAY2-". Live Reports (in Japanese). Photo by Takuo Sato. Blue Note Tokyo. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
↑ T-Square (April 30, 2023). "T-SQUARE plays Music of HIROTAKA IZUMI". Live Reports (in Japanese). Photo by Takuo Sato. Blue Note Tokyo. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
↑ "Profile" プロフィール. Mitsuru Sutoh Home Page (in Japanese). Retrieved February 25, 2024.
↑ Keiji Matsumoto (2003). "Keiji Matsumoto Interview". CyberFusion (Interview) (in Japanese). Interviewed by Mime Yamamoto. Archived from the original on August 25, 2003. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
↑ "Discography" ディスコグラフィー. Kumi Adachi Official Web Site (in Japanese). RAG International Music. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
SHINKO MUSIC MOOK THE DIG presents Japanese FusionSHINKO MUSIC MOOK THE DIG presents 日本のフュージョン. SHINKO MUSIC MOOK. Shinko Music Entertainment. 2013. ISBN978-4-401-63829-1.
T-SQUARE & THE SQUARE Reunion 40th Anniversary Celebration Book. Rittor Music Mook. Rittor Music. 2018. ISBN978-4-8456-3326-5.
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