Quick Facts
Aquarius
Biography
Kotaro Oshio (押尾 コータロー, Oshio Kōtarō, real name: 押尾 光太郎) is an acoustic guitarist from Japan.Born in Suita, Osaka, on February 1, 1968, he is best known for his work on the steel string guitar. Oshio is a part of Sony Music Japan's SME Records division. Oshio was voted the second greatest Japanese guitarist in a 2019 poll held by goo.
Oshio's music
Oshio's music is classified within various categories including pop, new age, and jazz. Oshio's musical technique includes fingerpicking, tap harmonics, and a unique strumming style referred to as a "nail attack" in which he slaps the strings with the nails of his middle and ring fingers which is inspired by Michael Hedges. While his albums include mostly original material, Oshio is also known for his covers and movie soundtracks.His unique skill in interpretation and arrangement can be heard in tracks such as Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence from his album Starting Point.
Oshio's career
Oshio released his first indie record in December 1999, which was followed by a second indie album in March 2001. In July 2002, he released his first major record label album Starting Point and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with B.B. King.
Discography
- Kotaro Oshio (December 18, 1999 in Japan)
- Love Strings (March 22, 2001 in Japan)
- Starting Point (July 10, 2002 in Japan)
- Dramatic (June 18, 2003 in Japan)
- Be Happy (June 23, 2004 in Japan)
- BOLERO!Be Happy Live (December 15, 2004 in Japan)
- Panorama (September 7, 2005 in Japan)
- Blue sky〜Kotaro Oshio Best Album〜 (September 29, 2006 in Japan)
- Color of Life (November 29, 2006 in Japan)
- Nature Spirit (Jan 1st, 2008 in Japan)
- You & Me (Oct 1st, 2008 in Japan)
- Tussie Mussie (Mar 11, 2009 in Japan)
- Eternal Chain (Aug 5, 2009 in Japan)
- Hand to Hand(Jan 12, 2011 in Japan)
- Reboot & Collabo. (April 24, 2013 in Japan)
- Pandora (July 30, 2014 in Japan)
- Tussie Mussie II -Love Cinema- (November 25, 2015 in Japan)
- KTRxGTR (November 9, 2016 in Japan)
- PICK POP! 〜J-Hits Acoustic Covers〜 (September 19, 2018 in Japan)
- Encounter (February 20, 2019 in Japan)