Today we’d like to introduce you to Keita Ogawa.
Hi Keita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Im a full time musician playing Drums and Percussion. Im from Sasebo city, Nagasaki, Japan.
When I was 11 years old I was watching Jazz performance on local TV program. There was drum solo moment that caught me and make me want to play drums. but none of my family are musician so I didnt start music at the moment. couple years later My friends start playing Rock Music so I joined playing drums.
I had a 1st band performance after middle schools graduation. And that was it. I decided to play music for rest of my life.
When I was high school I started to play many bands and all the clubs in my home town. After I played first time at the one of the club, The Owner who is drummer came to me asking if I ever study drums with somebody. I told him I dont have any teacher. so He kindly offer me free lessons. So I started to go see him everyday after school finish. one day I ask him to show any Video that he is playing. So he put VHS in the player. And I realized that was the show I saw on the TV when I was 11. And He was the reason I wanted to play drums. Since then He encourage and support me so much.
After High school I went to Music College in Kobe for 2 years and then wen to Tokyo for another 2 years to do Roadie of professional perussionist. And then I went to Berklee College of Music in Boston 2005.
I met wonderful mentor Jamey Haddad who tour with Paul Simon for 40 years. He helped me to connect many people and giving me oppotunity after I graduated Berklee.
Now Im based in NY touring all over the places.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely not smooth road. Since I came here there was language issue. also It was hard to get in the music scene in NY as Japanese.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am musician. I play drums and percussion. I learned many traditions and I create something unique style from that. I also one the few people play Drum Kit and Percussion both. Im proud my self that Im able to support my wife and Son in New York City as Musician and as immigrant. I have 3 grammy awards and many nominations.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have incredible mentor Takashi Mikuni, Saori Sendo, Jamey Haddad. They made me who I am now. And I also want to give credit to my Mom. She is single mom and raise me and my Brother and letting me do what I believe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keitaogawa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keita_percussion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keita.ogawa.1982/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keitaper
