Masataka Yazaki (POLO)
Guitarist and Music producer
2001-2002
GUITARIST FOR JAPANESE INDEPENDENT BAND, THOROUGHBLEND.
They sold over 3000 CDs in a month. Polo’s last show with this band was at Shibuya Club Quatro (600 people at the show). After this show, they got signed with Universal Music Japan.
2003-2006
PROFESSIONAL GUITARIST FOR U’S MUSIC.
Played for a singer Tsukiko Amano (Pony Canyon), music group September (U-Can Entertainment), and 9 Nine (Otokura Record). Performed with September at a dinner show with Choi Ji-woo (famous Korean actresss) at Tokyo Teikoku Hotel.
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Released solo single “Beautiful Sunday” by Otokura Record. The song was used for the opening theme song for a Japanese TV show “Uranai”. Played solo gigs over 200 times in a year.
2007-2010
VOCALIST AND GUITARIST FOR A BAND, NIRF (Founded BY POLO).
The band’s first few shows were at Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles. Performed at Roxy and Knitting Factory Recorded with Steve Albini, a famous recording engineer, at his studio, Electrical Audio, in Chicago. He worked for many famous musicians, such as Nirvana, Pixies, Cheap Trick, Scrawl, and PJ Harvey to name a few. Nilf released the first album under the title, “Live at Electrical Audio”, on iTunes.
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Passed the audition for Heineken Premium Light commercial and played guitar on a stage for the commercial Played acoustic guitar for Aaron McLain, a Los Angeles professional guitarist, who played for Marc Anthony.
2009
VOCALIST AND GUITARIST FOR NIRF .
Recorded at King Size Sound Labs (used by famous bands, such as “The Vines” and “Hole) . Released the second album, “SUNSHINE MAN’, on iTunes. Played in a successful Japan Tour (10 shows).
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Performed many solo acoustic shows at “Canter’s in Fairfax and Aloha Grill in Huntington Beach. Played acoustic guitar for Titus Kinimaka, a legendary surfer from Hawail, at Quicksilver’s Huntington VIP Party. Recorded and produced songs for Stephanie Yanez an American Jpop singer. Guitarist for Stephanie Yanez’s live performances in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Idaho.
2010
VOCALIST AND GUITARIST FOR NIRF.
Recorded at Castle Oaks Productions (used by famous artists, such as Paris Hilton). Released a mini album, “Ever After” on ITunes. Played a successful Japan Tour.
2011
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Guitarist for multiple singers such as Stephanie Yanez, Kaoru Enjoji, and Yukihiro Hasegawa. Played in a successful Japan Tour (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Okayama).
JOIN A BAND EYESHINE.
Performed in US tour (Detroit, Miami, New Orleans, Texas).
2012
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
Played US tour (Atlanta, Hawali, Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Oklahoma, Kansas, lowa, Sacramento, Memphis, El Paso, Los Angeles). Recorded for “Revolution Air waves” and “Like Yesterday “.
The band won The Gimme the Gig competition sponsored by Ford (It was played on KTLA and played acoustic show on KTLA morning show). The Gimme the Gig won the local Emmy Award.
Eyeshine had a recordings 7 times with grammy winning producer Don Was.
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Guitarist for Stephanie Yanez and Kaoru Enjoji (Los Angeles, San Diego)
2013
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
The band released new album “Fall Seven Times” and “Stand Up Eight” Eyeshine won Uproar band battle and opened for Alice in chain. The band also won the Vans warped tour band battle.
Played US and World tour (Los Angeles, Denver, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Atlanta, Houston, Austin, Sacramento, New Orleans, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Kansas, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, New York, Chicago, Honolulu, Japan, Brazil)
Played at Good morning Sacrament (CW31), Hawaii radio 101.9.
Eyeshine appeared on cover for Regional music magazine
Eyeshine showed as a guest of honor for Anime Expo.
2014
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
The Band released new album “Sidewalk Dreams” and “Chalk Dust”.
Eyeshine played US tour (Los Angeles, Alabama, Tennessee, Washington D.C., Sacramento, Columbus, Orlando, Amarillo, Rosemont, Jefferson city, Houston, San Diego, San Antonio)
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Played for the Boyle Heights community celebrated Martin Luther Kind Day with music at the Breed Street Schui and grammy award winning singer Aloe Blaq. Guitarist for singers such as Melanie Taylor, Todd Haberkorn, Sendai, Arisa Safu. Played acoustic solo concert (Los Angeles, Japan)
MUSIC PRODUCING.
Singers such as Persica, Candy Lo-lee, and Kaoru Enjoji.
2015
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
The band released new album “Start All Over Again”.Played US tour (Los Angeles, Tennessee, Orlando, Oklahoma, Miami, Santa Rosa, Arkansas, Sacramento, Detroit, New Jersey, Jacksonville, Albuquerque, Covina)
Eyeshine did a promotion with Ford, BYG Music and Wahoos Taco. Winner got a Ford car, Eyeshine limited CD and Private concert at KROQ. The prize CD was recorded at legendary Henson Studio and it was produced by Grammy winning recording engineer Krish Sharma.
Eyeshine was appeared on Oklahoma Fox 25 morning show.
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Guitarist for Melanie Taylor’s tour (Arizona, San Diego, Los Angeles), Zoey Saint and Kaoru Enjoji. Instrument Demonstrator for Keeler sound work shop.
MUSIC PRODUCING.
Singers such as Persica, and Kaoru Enjoji.
2016
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
Played US tour (Los Angeles, Tennessee, Arizona, Laredo, Atlanta, Denver, Ocala, Houston)
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Guitarist for Kaoru Enjoji, Melanie Taylor and Andy Suzuki’s California tour. Demonstrator for Keeler sound work shop.
PRODUCING.
Singers such as Persica, Stephanie Yanez, and Kaoru Emjoji.
2017
GUITARIST FOR EYESHINE.
Released new album “Gone Tomorrow “. Played US tour (Los Angeles, Tennessee, Phoenix, Knoxville, Fort Worth, Boston).
SOLO PROJECTS AND PERFORMANCES.
Guitarist for Melanie Taylor (Keynote opening ceremony and Gibson stage at CES Las Vegas).
Guitarist and music director for singer Persica’s Los Angeles show.
PRODUCING.
Persica (Album Colors)
Kaoru Enjoji (Album Groovy)