Akira Kajiyama

Akira Kajiyama (梶山 章, Kajiyama Akira, born in Yamaguchi, Japan) is a Japanese guitarist who is known for his work with Joe Lynn Turner.

Akira Kajiyama
Origin Yamaguchi, Japan
GenresHeavy metal / Hard rock
Occupation(s)Guitarist
InstrumentsGuitar
Associated actsGoldbrick

Biography

Kajiyama's first commercial band was Precious which was formed by Mandrake Root Records in 1987 to promote him. The band dissolved after its only full-length album in 1991. Kajiyama became regarded as a guitar legend in the Japanese hard rock/heavy metal scene. In 1998, Kajiyama and former Anthem vocalist Yukio Morikawa released a tribute album celebrating Rainbow in the name of Niji Densetsu (虹伝説). As a result, he became acquainted with Joe Lynn Turner who guested on the album. After that, Turner invited him to appear on his album "Under Cover, Vol. 2". Since then Kajiyama occasionally took part in Turner's albums and Japan tours. Kajiyama and Morikawa formed Goldbrick in 2003.

Style

Kajiyama is influenced by artists such as Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Al Di Meola, Laurie Wisefield. He is extremely precise at shredding with alternate picking, which was his style from Precious. However, Kajiyama denies he was ever a shredder. He says that the shredding style was requested by his record label, as Shrapnel Records also did at that time.

Discography

Precious
  • Crazy For Your Love (EP, 1987)
  • Blasting Your Head (EP, 1988)
  • To Glory We Steer (1991)
  • Early Days (demo tracks, 1996)
  • Secret Live (rehearsal tracks, 1999)

Niji Densetsu (虹伝説)
  • Niji Densetsu (1998, re-mastered in 2003)

With Joe Lynn Turner

With Hughes Turner Project

Goldbrick
  • Goldbrick (2003)
  • Live! Groovy Nights 2003 (2003)
  • Goldbrick II (2004)
  • Max Body Groove -Goldbrick Live 2005- (2005)

With Takenori Shimoyama
  • Singer (2006)
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