Justin’s Japan: Tak Matsumoto of B’z wins first Grammy
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'Take Your Pick' was named Best Pop Instrumental Album last night at the 2011 Grammys. (335 Records/Vermillion Records)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his NY Japanese Culture page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
While Justin Bieber came up empty, Takahiro Matsumoto of the J-rock band B’z won big at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night (Feb. 13).
The famed 49-year-old guitarist, commonly known Tak Matsumoto, netted his very first Grammy gold (Best Pop Instrumental Album) for Take Your Pick, a collaboration with the equally legendary American guitarist Larry Carlton.
Carlton, whose licks Matsumoto admitted to copying as a teenager, has been recording since the 1960s and has played on over 100 gold and platinum records, including discs by Steely Dan, Michael Jackson and Billy Joel. Take Your Pick, which contains original compositions by the duo supported by American session players, was released last June and goosed by a two-month Japanese tour by the axe slingers.
“I had never told anyone until now, but the Grammys was one of my dreams and a big goal,” Matsumoto said yesterday after winning the award. This was Carlton’s fourth win and 19th nomination overall.
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