ARTISTS WHO HAVE INSPIRED ME
(Alphabetize)
COMPOSER
Bruce Broughton
Kurt Carr
Claude Debussy
Nikolai Kapustin
Maurice Ravel
Steve Reich
JAZZ
Bill Evans
Jan Johansson
Pat Metheny
Thelonious Monk
Teddy Wilson
VISUAL ARTIST
Olle Eksell
Ron Gorchov
Anselm Kiefer
Giorgio Morandi
Pablo Picasso
Jason Rosenberg
Saul Steinberg
Tetsuro Hoshii is a composer and jazz pianist based in New York City. His compositions have been performed at Tanglewood, Boston, and at prestigious venues across New York.
Tetsuro's Musical Perspective
"My primary artistic practice revolves around improvisation, yet composition and performance art play an equally significant role in my work. Additionally, the projects I support span a wide spectrum, from electronic music to rock bands, all of which are rooted in my fundamental musical philosophy.
At the core of this philosophy is the belief that all music is interconnected. Whether it is classical, rock, Dixieland jazz, or avant-garde, each genre shares a deep and intrinsic connection. However, when presenting myself as a musician, I often find that my work is not easily categorized. This is because I place great value on musical diversity, making it difficult to define my practice with a single label such as "improviser."
For this reason, attempting to classify my music within a specific "genre" proves challenging and often inadequate. No single project can encapsulate the entirety of my artistic expression; rather, it is through multiple projects—and ultimately through the course of my life itself—that my musical identity is fully realized. Musicians who remain within a single genre may find it easier to establish a community and define their artistic identity. However, I do not align with this conventional approach. My work is not bound by a singular style; instead, it is shaped by an ever-evolving exploration of sound and artistic expression"
History
In 2023, Tetsuro collaborated with John Sheppard to arrange "America the Beautiful" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which were performed at the US Open Final Ceremony by Will Liverman, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Additionally, he composed "Mushroom's Holiday" for the New York Mycological Society's Mushroom Film Festival, blending the pulse of Reishi mushrooms with piano and electric soundscapes.
In 2024, Tetsuro was an artist-in-residence in Norway, where he innovated a groundbreaking music reading system called "Circle Score." He has begun developing and performing this system, with plans to expand it further in 2025.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Boston Cello Quartet recorded Tetsuro’s composition “Waltz of the Black Ants” for their album Pictures, which climbed to the Top 50 Classical Music Albums on iTunes upon its 2013 release.
Self-taught in piano and improvisation from the age of four, Hoshii eventually graduated from Senzoku College of Music in Japan, and then from the jazz composition program at Berklee College of Music, where he won the prestigious Wayne Shorter Award. His Tetsuro Hoshii Orchestra debuted at the Berklee Performance Center in 2011.
Hoshii’s music reflects a rich blend of jazz, classical, film soundtracks, musicals, and American roots music. His compositions have been performed by esteemed groups such as the New York Symphonic Brass and Decoda, featured in a sold-out Carnegie Hall chamber music series. They also appear on Tiziano Bianchi’s 2017 solo album Now and Then and as part of the Halcyon Chamber Series since 2015. Tetsuro authored The Adventures of Pinpi and Danda, a piano instruction book for students of all ages.
In 2015, Hoshii started The Doggy Cats, a lively brass band that performs regularly at Sunny's Bar, one of the most historic bars in New York. The band’s debut album, Daikon Pizza (2019), received critical acclaim and international radio play, including on NPR’s Fresh Air. Since 2018, The Doggy Cats have been a staple at the Keyport Music Festival.
My Motto
I strive to achieve what I believe I should, regardless of whether those around me agree. My mission is mine alone, and even in moments of solitude, I hold onto that belief.
Everything of value in my life—my work, education, family, and friends—has come from experience, especially from learning through my mistakes. I remind myself that it's okay to feel embarrassed by failures, envious of others, or overwhelmed by challenges. These emotions are part of being human.
We are imperfect. At times, we might take pleasure in someone else’s misfortune or benefit from an unfair situation. But in navigating human nature, I focus on those I deeply respect and avoid falling into self-pity.
How I Keep Going
Obstacles are inevitable. In fact, I can't move forward without overcoming them. But what truly matters is maintaining even a minimum level of motivation—because without it, there is no progress. Keeping that energy is difficult, but I remind myself not to apply too much pressure.
The same principle applies to learning. If you love something and excel at it, forcing perfection can turn passion into frustration. If setbacks make you quit, perhaps it wasn’t truly what you wanted. The key is to step back, take breaks, and not overthink—this allows me to return to what I love with renewed energy. Above all, I keep an open mind.
My Dream
Through my work, I want to reach people, evoke emotions, and create connections that ripple outward. I don’t create for everyone, but I believe in what I do.
To achieve this, I stay attuned to the world—understanding how we live, how we change, and how we connect. My goal is to contribute to society by capturing and sharing something real, something meaningful.
About My Name Tetsuro Hoshii
The pronunciation is “TET-soo-roh HOH-shee”
Pronouncing my name may be giving you a hard time.
HERE IS MY COLLECTION OF MISSPELLINGS AT COFFEESHOPS!
Tetsuro(哲郎) means: Tetsu哲=Philosophy, Ro郎＝Man
Hoshii(星井) means: Hoshi (星)=Star, I = A Well
So, it sounds like: A philosopher stands next to a well on the star. Sounds something like The Little Prince, I think. However in reality, though, my parents named me for a popular Japanese manga called Galaxy Express 999 by Leiji Matsumoto. The main character's name is Tetsuro Hoshino (星野 鉄郎).
In conclusion, please try to say my name. If you think it’s too difficult, just say, "Tootsie Roll”. Because “Tetsuro" sounds like "Tootsie Roll".
