Biography
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Nino（ニーノ） |
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2009年にウクレレと出会い、同年開催の「第5回ジ・ウクレレコンテスト」に出場。6年連続でグラミー賞を受賞しているダニエル・ホーをはじめとする審査員全員一致の評価を受け、大賞を受賞する。 大賞受賞を機に、サザンオールスターズのベーシスト・関口和之氏より、2010年2月にハワイ・オアフ島で開催された「ウクレレピクニック・イン・ハワイ」へ招待され、現地で演奏。 さらに、世界的ウクレレプレイヤー、ジェイク・シマブクロ氏が審査員を務めた「LET'S PLAY UKULELE CONTEST」でグランプリを受賞し、「JAKE SHIMABUKURO I LOVE UKULELE TOUR 2010」渋谷・Bunkamuraオーチャードホール公演に出演。従来のウクレレのイメージを覆す演奏とパフォーマンスは、ジェイク本人からも高く評価された。
これまでにソロアルバムのリリースやコンピレーションアルバムへの参加など、多彩な作品を発表。ギタリストSatoshi Gogoとのデュオ「ニーノアンドゴーゴー」では、3枚のオリジナルアルバムをリリースしている。近年ではラジオやテレビなどのメディアで楽曲が使用されるなど、活動の幅を広げている。
ライブでは、一音一音を美しく届けることを大切に、丁寧に音を紡ぐ演奏を信条とする。ウクレレならではの音色を生かしながら、その枠にとらわれない音楽表現と繊細なサウンドで独自のスタイルを築いている。
また、演奏活動と並び、ウクレレを教える活動にも長年取り組んでいる。ウクレレ専門誌での連載や楽譜集の執筆を手がけるほか、各地でワークショップを開催。自身が主宰する教室では未経験者から経験者まで幅広くレッスンを行い、基礎から演奏技術までをわかりやすく伝える指導や解説にも定評がある。
現在ウクレレ奏者として活躍する鈴木智貴も、自身のレッスンをきっかけにウクレレを始めた一人。楽器の持ち方から基本奏法までレッスンを行うなど、活動初期を支えた師の一人としても知られている。
プレイヤーとしての演奏活動に加え、作品制作、執筆、レッスン、ワークショップなど、さまざまな角度からウクレレと音楽の魅力を発信している。
Nino first discovered the ukulele in 2009 and, later that same year, entered the 5th Ji-Ukulele Contest. He was awarded the Grand Prize by unanimous decision of the entire judging panel, which included six-time consecutive Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho. Following this achievement, Nino was invited by Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, bassist of Southern All Stars, to perform at Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii, held on the island of Oahu in February 2010. He went on to win the Grand Prix at the “LET’S PLAY UKULELE CONTEST,” judged by internationally renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and subsequently appeared at the Shibuya Bunkamura Orchard Hall performance of “JAKE SHIMABUKURO I LOVE UKULELE TOUR 2010.” His performance, which challenged conventional perceptions of the ukulele, was also highly praised by Jake Shimabukuro. Nino has released solo recordings and contributed to various compilation albums. As part of the duo “Nino & Gogo” with guitarist Satoshi Gogo, he has released three original albums. In recent years, his music has also been featured on radio and television, further expanding the scope of his work. As a performer, Nino places great importance on the beauty and clarity of every note. While embracing the distinctive tone of the ukulele, he continues to explore musical possibilities beyond the instrument’s traditional image, developing a style characterized by delicate sound and expressive versatility. Alongside his work as a performer, Nino has also been dedicated to ukulele education for many years. His activities include writing regular columns for ukulele magazines, authoring sheet music books, and conducting workshops throughout Japan. At his own ukulele school, he teaches a wide range of students, from complete beginners to experienced players, and is known for his clear, accessible approach to explaining both fundamental techniques and more advanced aspects of playing. Among those who have studied with Nino is ukulele player Tomoki Suzuki, who began playing the ukulele after taking lessons with him. Nino taught him the fundamentals, from how to hold the instrument to basic playing techniques, and is known as one of the mentors who supported him in the early stages of his musical journey. In addition to performing, Nino continues to share the appeal of the ukulele and music through recording, writing, teaching, workshops, and a wide range of creative activities. |