TAIYO FUWA
不破 大耀Taiyo Fuwa is an internationally active artist known for his unique fusion of the tenor saxophone and tap dance, rooted deeply in the spirit of jazz. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2005.
He began tap dancing at the age of five and took up the saxophone just a year later. During his elementary school years, he joined the Little Hills Jazz Orchestra in Nagoya, where he cultivated his instincts for improvisation and ensemble playing. From age twelve, he committed to the rigorous study of music theory and performance, building a foundation that seamlessly bridges physical rhythm and instrumental expression.
After middle school, he moved to the United States alone to attend Seattle’s Roosevelt High School, a premier institution for jazz education. Under the mentorship of renowned educators Scott Brown and Steve Treseler, he made three consecutive appearances at "Essentially Ellington," the nation’s most prestigious high school jazz competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Taiyo was honored as an Outstanding Tenor Saxophone Soloist for two consecutive years, with his 2024 performance earning high acclaim from Wynton Marsalis for his exceptional musicality.
His time in Seattle was marked by a string of accolades, including a first-place finish at the Bellevue Jazz Festival and multiple individual soloist awards. He appeared for three consecutive years at Starbucks’ "Hot Java Cool Jazz" and was featured on the influential jazz radio station KNKX. His rapid rise in the American scene led to collaborations with the Count Basie Orchestra and the One O'Clock Lab Band, as well as a selection for the Seattle Repertory Jazz High School All-Star Band. Upon graduation, he was presented with the prestigious Louis Armstrong Award in recognition of his outstanding musical achievement and dedication.
Currently, Taiyo is a student at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music, where he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship—the institution’s highest honor covering full tuition—becoming only the second Japanese student in history to receive it. At Berklee, he studies under modern jazz legends George Garzone and Mike Tucker, delving into advanced improvisational theory while seeking a fusion of traditional tone and contemporary originality.
His performances continue to transcend genres and borders, from showcasing tap dance at the Nagoya Noh Theater to delivering the opening performance for a B.LEAGUE official game at the Nagoya IG Arena. Guided by the belief that music can foster a world where individuals connect and hold hands, he envisions a peaceful future defined by mutual respect and harmony, sharing the transformative power of rhythmic dialogue with the world.
