Takako Afuso
Electro-Voice is pleased to have jazz singer Takako Afuso in its family of microphone endorsers. Takako's mic of choice? The RE510.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Takako Afuso started to learn classic piano when she was just four years old. After graduating from high school, she moved to Tokyo and majored in piano performance to study classics in Shobi Music College. After graduation, Takako went back to Okinawa, served as a piano teacher at the local music academy, and performed local shows.
Takako’s career took a different path when she joined Okinawa’s top Latin rock band, Diamantes, in Dec 2000 as keyboardist and backing vocalist. She recorded three CDs with the band: Rivre, Aderante, and Bientous.
Restarting as solo musician in Jan 2004, Takako met Chinen Yoshiya and formed a combo based a top resort hotel, giving her the chance to perform and perfect a repertoire of jazz standards.
In Mar 2005, Takako’s talent as a singer and unique sense of musical phrasing in the jazz realm gained the attention of record label M&I. She then met bassist Yosuke Inoue immediately after returning from showcase dates in NYC, solidifying her lineup. At this time Takako had began to work towards a new sound, blending jazz with R&B aspects.
Takako released her first album Kon (Soul) in Mar 2006. Her vocal performance garnered reviews that deemed her a “once in 50 years” jazz vocalist. The release earned a golden disk in Swing Journal magazine—a rare feat for a debut. The record won more awards from this and other top magazines later that year. Off to a strong start, Takako’s star has continued to rise with equally high recognition for her second release Mabui no uta (Feb 2007) and Summer of '86 (Jun 2008).
