The swift guitar stylings of Hiroya Tsukamoto are the result of his discovery of the banjo, and a childhood love of bluegrass comes through in his playing, which includes takes on folk, jazz, and traditional Japanese music. As a teen, Tsukamoto worked tirelessly to perfect his craft, and it paid off in 2000 when he accepted a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. The exceptional composer has gained international accolades, and earlier this month he placed second in the International Finger Style Guitar Championship.
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C-VILLE Writers | May 1, 2024
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C-VILLE Writers | May 1, 2024

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C-VILLE Writers | May 1, 2024
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C-VILLE Writers | May 1, 2024

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C-VILLE Writers | May 1, 2024
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