Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi, Chicago’s most notable pianist, is an Asian artist with the title of Master in the American Blues Hall of Fame and the only Asian musician recognized by the highest hall of black music. He is the winner of the American Best Entertainer Music Award, a special guest performer at Obama’s speeches, an Asian pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall, and an Asian musician who has historically played on the stage of the Chicago Blues Festival. The authoritative American magazine Blues Blast commented on him: In 1982, an Asian face appeared in the Chicago blues clubs. No one would have thought that the transparent piano sound in Otis Spann’s hands would be reproduced by an Asian youth! He is the pianist of the Chicago blues music system founder – Jimmy Rogers’ band, the discoverer of legendary musician Robert Lockwood Jr. He toured Europe with Otis Rush and played alongside titans such as B.B. King and Albert King. People call him Ariyo! This time, he will bring the purest ‘Chicago Blues Piano Trio’ to China. Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi was born in Kyoto, Japan, and began to learn the piano at the age of three, and has been immersed in blues music ever since. In 1980, he watched a performance of Muddy Waters in Japan, which strengthened his idea of going to Chicago to make a career. Three years later, he came to Chicago, the place he had been dreaming of. He walked into the legendary blues club and said to the owner and the band: ‘I come from Japan, I play the piano, I want to play the blues.’When the piano sounded that day, everyone in the venue turned to look at the only Asian face in the field, and everyone was impressed by his exquisite performance. This was Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi’s first encounter with Chicago, and it also marked the beginning of his American blues journey. With a pure and unique understanding of blues music and a touching talent for playing, Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi was invited to join the original band of the founding master Jimmy Rogers, who was the super master who created Chicago blues alongside Muddy Waters, the first generation guitarist of Muddy’s band.
After Jimmy Rogers retired, Sumito Ariyo Ariyoshi joined the bands of legendary musicians Robert Lockwood Jr. and Otis Rush, touring the world with them. He rose to prominence as the bandleader of Billy Branch’s ensemble. In 1990, he released his first album, ‘Shuffle’, with his own band Ariyoshi’s Shuffle, which has since become a benchmark for blues piano playing and influenced countless young musicians.
Over the next three to four decades, Ariyo continued to build his blues empire through creation and touring. To date, Ariyo Ariyoshi has performed in over 500 cities worldwide. He was the first Asian musician to take the main stage at the Chicago Blues Festival and has held the position of the mainstage pianist for more than thirty consecutive years. His performances have graced stages such as New York’s Lincoln Center, the New York Jazz and Blues Festival, the European Summer Blues Festival, and the Asian Jazz and Blues Music Festivals.Ariyo Ariyoshi has had a remarkable career, collaborating with numerous legendary musicians and contributing to the recording of countless albums. In 2018, he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame, a prestigious honor that made him the first and only Asian musician to receive such recognition. During the induction ceremony, Ariyo Ariyoshi reflected on his journey with heartfelt gratitude in his speech:
“In 1983, I came to Chicago. That summer, I became a member of the Chicago blues family. I was greatly taken care of by seniors like Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, and Otis Rush; it feels like it was just yesterday. Through this, I want to say only one thing: I am not an American. As a young man from a foreign land, I am truly grateful to all the seniors who helped me delve into the depths of Chicago blues. Thank you!”
An upcoming performance featuring Ariyo Ariyoshi is scheduled to open on October 25th, starting at 20:00. The event is expected to last approximately 90 minutes, though the duration is subject to the actual event schedule.
