Who is
Shoji?
Shoji Naito was born and raised in Toyota, Japan.
He started playing guitar and harmonica at the age of sixteen.
He became quite interested in the blues after a friend lent him records from greats like Muddy Waters,
Howlin' Wolf, and Robert Johnson.
Shoji moved to Chicago in 1996 to study jazz and classical music at Columbia College Chicago.
In 2002, he graduated with a B.A. in music. Just as important to his education as his college courses,
Shoji has spent countless hours studying blues music from recordings and live performances.
He is well versed in the styles and recordings of blues legends such as Muddy Waters, BB King,
Eddie Taylor, Earl Hooker, Little Walter, Big Walter Horton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Slim Harpo, and many more.
Shoji began teaching lessons in harmonica, guitar, and bass guitar in 2002 at Maywood Fine Arts Association.
He has expanded his teaching to include the Old Town School of Folk Music, Hogeye Music, and Lake Forest College.
He has served as accompanist for the SPAH harmonica convention, Jon Gindick Harmonica Jam Camp,
and David Barrett's Harmonica Masterclass Workshops.
Shoji has a multitude of experience performing the blues with greats such as John Primer, Carey Bell,
Jimmy Burns, Willie Big Eye Smith, Lurrie Bell, and Joe Filisko.
Shoji has performed in Chicago, Japan, Brazil, France, Canada, and countless other U.S. cities.
Shoji joined Eddy (The Chief) Clearwater Blues Band in 2004, and has appeared with Eddy on the
WTTW program "Chicago Tonight" in March of 2008, and in radio spots on WXRT and WLUP.
Shoji's blues festival experience includes performances at the Chicago Blues Festival, Blues on the Fox Aurora,
Rio das Ostras blues festival Brazil, Winnipeg Jazz Festival Canada, Big Bull Falls Blues Festival Wisconsin,
Matteson Blues Festival Illinois, Baden Switzerland Blues Festival, and many others.
Shoji is a
Musician!
Shoji is a
Music Teacher!
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