Maki Watanabe

Maki Watanabe is a young extraordinary Bassist and Composer who is already making a big name for himself in the East Coast. Mostly known as a Jazz Acoustic Bassist, Maki also performs stunningly on the electric bass in various styles such as Rock, Pop and Funk. As a composer and arranger, he has a rich wealth of knowledge in music theory as well as the creativity to break barriers.

Maki was born and raised in Kitakyushu-City, Japan. He began classical piano study at the early age of 3 as the first musical experience. At the age of 14, he switched his principal instrument to the electric bass and started performing in a wide variety of ensembles from pop, rock, funk and soul to fusion. After listening to McCoy Tyner's “Double Trios” record featuring Marcus Miller on Bass, Maki became greatly influenced by Jazz music and began studying the musical art form. Through his studies, Maki was greatly inspired by the beauty of natural acoustic sound, and his serious study of the double bass began at the age of 18 when he was studying at the renowned music school known as Berklee International Network, Koyo Conservatory in Kobe, Japan.

At the age of 19, Maki went back to his hometown and started his career as a professional bassist. He participated in several recording sessions and performed with many native professional musicians at numerous venues such as jazz clubs, restaurants, hotels and events. In the meantime he vigorously studied with various classical virtuosi, and improved his classical abilities on double bass.

In 2002, Maki was awarded the World Tour Scholarship Award of Berklee College of Music in Boston after auditioning in Kobe, Japan, and he moved into the United States and began studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, as a recipient of the Berklee World Scholarship in 2003. Maki was majoring Jazz Composition at Berklee, which has empowered him to move more deeply into the composing arena as well as being a performer. In 2004, he was invited to become a scholarship student ambassador. He has written for strings quartets and jazz ensembles large and small, and in 2005, he was featured in the best jazz composition 2005 both as a performer and composer and added composition to his curriculum vitae. As a compilation of his successful work, he released a record album “Composition and Arranging in 2005”. Maki has completed a four-year diploma program at Berklee in two and half years and graduated magna cum laude majoring in Jazz Composition.

After he graduated Berklee College of Music, Maki moved into New York in 2005 and decided he wanted to pursue a career as an international artist. In 2006, he was selected as an official member of Music Under New York from over 200 applicants. He quickly gained a glowing reputation and was in great demand from some of New York Jazz music's leading stars. Through his popularity, he was able to perform with numerous worldwide renowned artists. He also has a passion to volunteer for community in order to inspire people’s love and hope through music. He has performed at many institutions and rehabilitation facilities through an innovative musical style, gospel jazz.

Maki Watanabe is a true professional who has the passion for music exemplified by his energetic performances and marvelous compositional ideas. He is a versatile musician who is proficient in jazz, classical and contemporary music, and hits the mark, whether as a composer, arranger, conductor or teacher in addition to his magnificence when he performs.

Gear

Endorsing an amplifier, Acoustic Image “Coda R” and endpin, Mitsuke Precision Machinery Industry Inc. “Triple Brillante”