Plofile

Tokunori “Kaji” Kajiwara a Native of Japan, Tokunori “Kaji” Kajiwara was born in 1975. Kaji Started playing trombone when he was 5th grade. Kaji decided to come to the US after talking with his family, and finally arrived in Chicago, on January 6th, 1995. He studied at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. During this period, he met Mayo Tiana, former trombone player with Ray Charles Orchestra. He graduated in May of 2000 with Bachelor’s Degree in jazz trombone performance with Dean’s Awards, and the went back to Japan.

Kaji spent the next two years in Japan practicing, and then in May of 2002, he got a scholarship from the Manhattan School of Music, and moved to New York City. At the MSM, he studied trombone under Steve Turre, and joined Bobby Sanabria’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra and also performed with the MSM Jazz Orchestra and Concert Jazz Band directed by Justin DiCioccio. He graduated in 2004 with a Masters Degree in jazz trombone performance.

Since graduating MSM, he has been very active in the New York City music scene. He has toured with legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes (Chucho’s father) in Spain, toured with Arturo O’Farrill’s ALJO in Greece, Switzerland and U.S., Spanish Harlem Orchestra in U.S., Jimmy Bosch and has performed with McCoy Tyner, Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Turre, Arturo O’Farrill, Eddie Palmieri, Andy Gonzalez, Luis Bonilla, Edy Martinez, David Sanchez, Dave Valentin, Nicky Marrero, Albita, Oscar Brown Jr., Jerry “the Iceman” Butler, the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, Chico O’Farrill the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, The Mambo Legends Orchestra (formerly known as The Latin Giants of Jazz), the Ray Charles Orchestra, Mike Longo Big Band, Frank Lacy’s Vibe Tribe, and the Brooklyn Big Band. He has also appeared at top venues such as Birdland, The Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Iridium, Sweet & Rhythm, The Village Vanguard, Minton’s Playhouse, Zinc Bar, Smoke and SOB’s.

Kaji participated in recordings of Arturo O’Farrill and Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra “The Offense of The Drum”(2015 Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album), “40 Acres and a Burro” (2012 Grammy Nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album), Arturo O’farrell and The Chico O’farrell and Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra “The Final Night at Birdland” (2015 Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album) Mambo Legends Orchestra

“Watch Out! Ten Cuidao!” (2012 Latin Grammy Nominee for Best Salsa Album), John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument, Papo Pepin and Ray Viera.

Currently Kaji is a regular trombonist for Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (Lead), Tipica 73, Papo Pepin, John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument and others.