Watanabe Yu
Gear
Biography
June 2005, 1st CD “Ukiwa” was released.
March 2006, 2nd CD “Letters to parents” was released. He has been featured in guitar magazines, “FM802” radio station, and more, receiving high acclaim from various quarters.
In April 2006, he won the grand prize at the “Fingerpicking Day 2006” held in Yokohama.
In 2007, 2008, and 2009, he opened for FM802 HIRO T`S MORNING JAM presents “NEW BREEZE” for three consecutive years, and performed with saw player Hajime Sakita in 2007 and singer Amin from China in 2009.
In September 2007, they represented Japan at the “Walnut Valley Festival” in Kansas, USA. They were featured in a local newspaper, and their live video was broadcast all over the world via the Internet.
In December 2007, their 3rd CD “Leialoha” was released nationwide through major distribution.
In 2007, he was the opening act for the world’s greatest guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, Grammy Award-winning guitarist Edgar Hurd, and other international guitarists on their performances in Japan.
From January 2008 to December 2011, he was a monthly guest on FM802 HIRO T`S MORNING JAM for four years.
BUKKORO” from Leialoha was used as the weather forecast theme song for MBS ‘Chichin Puipui Pui’ for about 6 months.
In August 2009, released the 4h album “Humming Life”!
In September 2009, he was the opening act for big names such as Stardust Review, Toshihide Baba, Kimaguren, Skoop On Somebody, and SALT&SUGAR (Satoshi Shiotani + Takeyoshi Sato) at “Kaze ni Fukarete 2009” held at the Momiji River Lawn in Expo ’90 Commemorative Park in front of an audience of 15,000 people. He has been an opening act for big names such as Toshihide Baba, Kimaguren, Skoop On Somebody, SALT&SUGAR (Satoshi Shiotani + Takezen Sato), etc.
Y.K.O.” was featured in a TV commercial for ‘Club Anclage Mikage’.
Y.K.O.” was played as the theme song for Kansai Television’s ‘music&weather’.
In May 2010, their first cover album “This cover” was released.
In November 2010, released his first picture book and music work “Kuma no Maku”.
In December 2010, he performed as welcome music at Act Against AIDS 2010 LIVE IN OSAKA at Osaka-jo Hall.
In August 2011, his 7th album “You&Me” was released. The song “First step” from the album was a tie-up for Kansai Television’s “Music&Weather” and NTT Hikari Flet’s campaign website (featuring Shun Oguri).
In August 2011, they held a one-man live concert at BIGCAT in Shinsaibashi, attracting 350 people.
In September 2011, he performed as the opening act for “Kaze no Humming 2011” (featuring Masayoshi Yamazaki, KAN, Stardust Review, Toshihide Baba, and THE BOOM).
Performed at “Daddy`s Reborn Jam” at Osaka-jo Hall in November 2011. Performed with Yuzu, Bigin, Naotaro Moriyama, Kotaro Oshio, and many other artists.
In December 2011, he released his second album of all cover songs, “This cover 2”!
Special page for Watanabe Yu’s signature models
HOC-KINGFISHER
Videos
HDC-1020 “Kingfisher”
Yu Watanabe signature model, incorporating the design of the HDC-1020 made by Yasuo Momose of Headway Customshop.
HDC-GERBERA
Created by master builder Yasuo Momose. Original model inspired by Watanabe Yu’s song “Gerbera”.
HFC-415/12
This 12-string model was produced by Yasuo Momose upon request from Watanabe Yu.
OMC-CUSTOM
An original model designed by Yasuo Momose, incorporating the essence of Watanabe Yu.
HN-180 AM YUU CUSTOM
User’s Voice
江坂のドルフィンギターズのスタッフの方に勧められてHeadwayのHDC-1020（通称キングフィッシャー）に出会いました。
高音弦のつやっぽい音色、音のバランスが好きです。弾きやすいし、木がしっかりしてて丈夫なのもありがたいです。2020年からほとんどこのギター1本でライブとレコーディングをこなしています。
This was the first Headway guitar that Yu Watanabe encountered at Dolphin Guitars Esaka branch. Since then, it has been his main guitar for recording and live performances. The inlay work designed in the motif of a kingfisher was carried over to the “HOC-KINGFISHER” model supervised by Yu Watanabe.