Hal Tsuchida, jazz and blues pianist, organist, composer, and arranger. He studied jazz piano with Willie Pickens at Northern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Jazz Studies). He earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies (Composition) from DePaul University.
He has performed with many musicians including Billy Branch, Eddie C Campbell, Bo Diddley, Little Arthur Duncan, Phil Guy, Harold Jones, Bob Lark, RJ Mischo, Joe Moss, Nick Moss, Pinetop Perkins, Lynwood Slim, Little Mack Simmons, Junior Watson, and the list goes on.
As a blues pianist, he has been playing with numerous bands. He performed at the Chicago Hope Festival (w/ Bo Diddley & Billy Branch, 2000), the Chicago Blues Festival (w/ Rob Stone, 2002), the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland OR (w/ Phil Guy, 2002 and w/ Nick Moss, 2002), the Baltimore Blues Festival (w/ Nick Moss, 2002), and several other festivals as well. He recorded the CDs "Got a New Plan" (w/ Nick Moss, Blue Bella Records, 2001), and "Movin' Out" (w/ Chicago Blues Angels, Blue Bella Records, 2001). He has appeared on the Fox Chicago Morning News (w/ Bo Diddley, 2000), and the blues shows Speakin' of the Blues on TV (w/ Arthur Duncan, 2002 and w/ Eomot RaSan, 2003).
As a jazz pianist, he has been playing solo, and with duos, trios, and quartets. He has worked with one of the most respected drummers, Harold Jones. He is an endorsee of Fingerweights.
As a jazz organist, he has learned with Tony Monaco, and he leads his jazz organ trio. He released his first CD "Midnight Shuffle" (2006) with his jazz organ trio. He regularly plays with the George Freeman Trio. He is an endorsee of Hammond Suzuki.
Additional Info from the liner note:
Larry Frazier : Guitar
Larry is a seasoned guitar player and worked with many major jazz musicians including Charles Earland, Don Patterson, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, and Jimmy Smith. In 1960s, he had numerous recordings as a member of Jimmy McGriff Quartet and toured extensively. He is one of the guitarists who knows playing with organ players very well.
Zac Kreuz: Drums
Zac is a versatile drummer. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music. He lived in Philadelphia and worked with many major jazz musicians including Shirley Scott and Joey DeFrancesco. He is one of the drummers who is equally comfortable as playing with organ players as he has played with piano players.
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