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Review

Selected by Masashi Usui.

～Selection Committee Profile～
Masashi Usui

Saxophonist, composer, and MARCA Reeds Saxophone Gold Artist No. 1 in Japan

Born in Toyama Prefecture. Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Instrumental Music. Completed the jazz performance program at McGill University’s Graduate School of Music as the first Japanese student to do so. Awarded the Schulich Scholarship and Graduate Excellence Fellowship by the same graduate school.
In 1998, he won the highest number of awards in history at the 15th Toyama Prefecture Youth Music Competition, including the “Youth Music Grand Prize.”
In 2016, he performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival with his own quartet and has since become a regular at the festival.
He has performed in numerous live shows and recordings, and has released albums with renowned Canadian artists such as Reg Schwager, Paul Shrofel, Adrian Vedady, Andre White, Laura Anglade, and Fernanda Cunha.
He has also demonstrated his talent in nurturing young musicians, with one of his students winning the Grand Prize at the Oliver-Jones Award, held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Until 2018, he served as a lecturer at McGill University (Jazz Practical Instruction). He is a pioneer in the field of research on the interplay and compatibility between classical and jazz performance techniques.

Official Website: https://usuimasashi.com/


Tuning: E♭
Body material: Yellow brass
Finish: Gold lacquer
Additional keys: High F#, front F, seesaw-type left little finger key
Low C# open stop
Thumb hook, thumb rest: Metal
Bell size: Large bell
Tone holes: Rolled tone holes (right hand main key section to low register)
Neck: “S” model
Accessories: Genuine case, mouthpiece/ligature/cap, cloth, swab, cork grease, selection certificate

Specifications

調子	E♭
管体材質	イエローブラス
仕上げ	ゴールドラッカー
付属キイ	High-F#、フロントF、シーソー式左手小指キイ
LowC#開き止め
サムフック、サムレスト	メタル製
ベルサイズ	ラージベル
トーンホール	ロールドトーンホール(右手主鍵部〜低音部)
ネック	「S」モデル
付属品	純正ケース・マウスピース/リガチャー/キャップ・クロス・スワブ・コルクグリス・選定書