Meet Yu Ooka | Jazz Guitarist/Shamisen Player & Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yu Ooka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yu, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Balance is very important not only for work because there is always a balance in the universe.(The sun and the earth, all the natures, man and woman etc.) I am easily to get bored about things, so I always try to make a balance for many factors.
For example, sometimes I try not to touch my guitar until I feel like. In that way, I am always hungry about it.
When I am in a band, I always think that where should my guitar sound be or what is the best guitar role in the ensemble for each session.
This can be even in a conversation.
If other people want to talk, let them talk and listen instead. A good balance gives a harmony.
Every time I feel busy, I stop and try to find a balance.
Also “Busy” in Japanese kanji character means “Lose your heart”.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think being unique is important for any type of businesses. There are so many great guitarists in the world, but if you sound like someone else, the client may call other guitarist.
Same thing, there are many real estate agents.
There is a reason why the client wants to deal with you.
I just don’t want to be someone else in any fields.

Talking about uniqueness, I play the Japanese instrument, Shamisen as well.
I learned the traditional style of playing from Matsutoyo sensei, but I also started blending some western tastes into it.
The other day, I got a call for a recording session for one of the biggest Hollywood boxing movies.(will be released in 2023)
The composer needed a shamisen player who can read music and play traditional style and improvisation in the song.
This is the good example of being unique.
I don’t think there are many shamisen players who can handle this type of session in the US.

The uniqueness can be anything.(speaking foreign languages, any computer skills, communication skills etc)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I will take them to some of the huge houses in PV and Marina Del Rey that I manage and stop by the beach and have a good coffee at a cafe in the daytime. Then, of course, the evening will be the good live jazz and R&B music spots!
I love traveling and talk to the local people.
Experiencing different cities, people and other cultures makes me feel something special.
“The feel” is what I need.
Those will enrich people’s life, I believe!

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Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, so many. A jazz pianist, Billy Mitchell and a jazz/blues singer, Barbara Morrison are my biggest influence and musical mentors especially in my early days. These two are the legendary jazz musicians in the business. They gave me the right direction and so many opportunities when I started living in the US.
Matsutoyo Sato is my life mentor as well as my shamisen teacher, who made me realize how important the Japanese culture is.
Hiroko Asano, who is the founder of Azusa Realty, is my mentor for the real estate career.
I am so grateful that I met them and other so many great people in my life.

Website: https://yuooka.amebaownd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yulivehere/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yu-ooka-a7918596/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yu.ooka.1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqhc2gJf8p7i_tz7fzloI4w

Image Credits
Sachi 217, Toyo Miyatake