外文名：Jeff Kashiwa 国籍：美国 出生地：美国肯塔基州路易维尔 生日：1963 年 职业：萨克斯演奏家 教育背景：加州州立大学长滩分校， 伯克利音乐学院 简介：Smooth Jazz领域拥有着很多出色的多人音乐团体, 比如Fourplay, Urban Knights以及The Rippingtons, 其中前面两个分别是由已经非常出名的爵士乐手固定和不固定所组成的团体, 而The Rippingtons正好是相反, 从这个团体成立开始, 就成为了培养新人的基地工厂, 而曾经或现役的乐团成员都是从The Rippingtons为起点已经成为了能够独当一面的优秀乐手, 就连创建人Russ Freeman也是顺着这根竿子爬上来的, 乐团现役SAX手是Paul Taylor, 这位年轻黑人乐手已经成为了Smooth Jazz界顶尖的高音SAX手了, 而他的前任, 拥有一张黄色的皮肤和一个日本的姓氏的Jeff Kashiwa, 依靠着自己的不懈努力以及乐团给他带来的声誉也已经成为了一面Smooth Jazz特有的亚裔旗帜了. 虽然肤色不同, 但Jeff Kashiwa的从艺道路和那些西方音乐家并没有太多的不同,从小学习SAX的演奏, 然后依靠亚洲人特有的勤奋进入伯克利音乐学院, 而这些美国顶级学院派的爵士乐手们来从事Smooth Jazz的演奏都应该在技术上是游刃有余的. 而在进入The Rippingtons以后的Jeff Kashiwa也越来越得到美国乐迷的认可和喜爱,而且他还因此广交朋友,到后来就算是在个人发行的专辑里面都能够得到一大批优秀的乐手参与录音制作. 生活与职业：Jeff Kashiwa born in 1963 in Louisville, Kentucky but moved to Seattle as a young child. He credited the public school's music program for his starting his interest in music.[2] He has also credited his father, who died in 1992, for his love of music because he was a fan of jazz music including Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. While attending school, his father gave him an old silver clarinet. When he later saw a row of saxophones at school, Kashiwa knew he had found his new instrument. As a local gig musician and working small jobs, Kashiwa searched for an audition in a more permanent position in a band. After searching and being denied, he approached Steve Bailey from The Rippingtons. Kashiwa was a fan of the Rippingtons and hired Bailey to play along with him and eventually asked about The Rippingtons audition. Kashiwa joined The Rippingtons following a festival concert and Brandon Fields' exit from the group.[3] Kashiwa prepared himself for the role by learning every song in the group's library prior to being hired, making his eventual step into Field's large shoes seemingly effortless.[4] Kashiwa recorded his first two solo albums, ("Remember Catalina" and "Walk A Mile"), during his tenure with The Rippingtons. In 1999 Kashiwa left the group to concentrate on a solo career with his own band, Coastal Access, which included Melvin Davis (Bass), Allen Hinds (Guitar), Dave Hooper (drums) and Dave Kochanski (Keyboards/Synths). Eric Marienthal and Paul Taylor both covered the sax player spot in The Rippingtons for a few years, but Kashiwa rejoined the group in 2007 for their 20th Anniversary Tour,[5] and continues to appear with the group on occasion. In 2004, Kashiwa called on some of his saxophone peers and started a new group that would feature the instrument, as well as their collective musical passion for jazz, funk and R&B. "The Sax Pack" features Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole & Kim Waters. Along with being cohesive musically, the trio share a unique and comical camaraderie on stage. The Sax Pack released two CDs, "The Sax Pack" (2008) and "The Pack is Back" (2009) on Shanachie Records. Kashiwa plays soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute and the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument). His involvement in music encompasses composing, producing, performing and teaching. Kashiwa attended Berklee College of Music in 1981-83, where he developed an interest in straight-ahead jazz. As a student, he was picked as second alto chair by Disney's All American College Band and eventually became an instructor.[6] Kashiwa later transferred to Cal State Long Beach and received his bachelor's degree in Music in 1985. Kashiwa currently teaches Music Technology courses at Shoreline College, as well as private music lessons for students of all ages.[7] Kashiwa has a wife, Chaunte, and a daughter, Catalina.