Bob Shimizu

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Shimizu has a bright and clear tone, and he does not waste a note during his well-constructed improvisations.

—DownBeat

Shimizu’s relaxing sound and welcoming tone echo the style of guitarists like Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton.

—Jazz Times

Bob Shimizu has long been fascinated with the sound of the guitar, and he started performing when he was just 12 years old. Shimizu studied with John Shacklett, an early contemporary of Wes Montgomery’s, and later at Norfolk State University in Hampton, Virginia. He later performed in the jazz ensemble at the University of Maryland, where he majored in performance and composition. After school, he was an in-demand avant-garde player in and around Washington, D.C.

In 2008, after a long sabbatical from performing, Shimizu turned his focus to music again, yielding a fruitful second career. His original compositions are rooted in the jazz tradition but incorporate influence from Latin and pop music.