Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Echizen.
Hi Kenny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born and raised in Torrance, CA I started playing piano at the age of six and then started guitar in eighth grade. I attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood right after high school and soon later became a faculty member which I actively taught there for about 7 years.
I’ve played on Cruise Ships where I got to see places that I would never imagined as well as playing at million dollar Bar Mitzvah in the middle of Wall Street, New York. But of course, I’ve played in clubs in front of bartenders with zero audiences and traveled 60 miles round trip for one lesson for a LONG time before I got to do cool stuff. But of course, if it wasn’t for those experiences coming up I wouldn’t be where I am now.
I feel extremely lucky to play with world-class musicians from all over the world and getting to perform at places like the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, Sydney Opera House, filling in for the Cleto and the Cletones (Jimmy Kimmel Live House Band), The Baked Potato (legendary jazz club in LA), and many other beautiful venues all over the world.
Besides playing live shows, I’ve recorded for many artists, TV and film which I truly love doing. My biggest accomplishment as a father is that I’ve been recording tons of guitar on a show that my son is obsessed with (Shoutout to my dear friend Smidi Smith for that!).
My other side of my occupation includes being a Product Training Specialist for KORG USA’s Guitar Department where I get to create content, train dealers and showcase many amazing products that we offer. I’m addicted to musical gear so I will say this occupation is definitely my dream job where I get to still make music, be creative and share my love for gear to other fellow gear enthusiasts.
I feel truly blessed for being a part of an elite group of musicians in Los Angeles. You can throw a rock and can hit a musician or artist that can blow your mind (but I wouldn’t suggest you throwing a rock at someone).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not by a million miles. The Assembly Bill law (AB5) in CA (which is now exempted for musicians) and the pandemic in 2020 basically put every working musician to unemployment. Even before that, I had several unfortunate and unexpected lay-offs that put me and my family in financial struggle. I’ve never felt this amount of fear and anxiety ever, and I’m hoping I will never have to ever again. That was a really hard time and almost broke my family apart. I am forever grateful to my current boss, Brian Piccolo for saving me and my family from this situation and continue to do what I love.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At KORG USA I am a one-man band where I create, record, shoot, edit and finalize contents for products we offer. I also either virtually or physically go to dealers and train the sales staff on how to sell the product. This really allows me to get creative and try new approaches.
As a musician, I’m more of a ‘hired gun’ type where I get called to do many things. People usually call me for what I do, which I don’t know what that is but I always try to be a problem solver to my employer. Being a formally trained musician, I can adapt in many situations and styles of music. I always try to be prompt and professional where my employers don’t even have to think or worry about me.
More I think about it, I guess that’s my specialty: Not to be a pain in the ass.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was more of an introvert I didn’t really have any close friends my age up until my early adulthood. Because of that I was an easy target from bullies and did get mistreated by my classmates at an early age (I was always the leftover student when the teachers asked the students to ‘team up in pairs’ in class). Which led me to hanging out with adults who played music as I got into high school where I got to hang out and jam with like-minded people who didn’t judge for who I was growing up.
I didn’t have much confidence early on and was fearful about how people think of me at school. But once I started playing guitar and hanging out with friends outside of my community, I started to care less about what people think of me and the people who live their lives by judging and putting down other people.
Music was definitely my escape and my savior that helped me build my identity and confidence. I can’t thank my parents for giving me the opportunity at a young age.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kennyechizen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennyechizen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063522035691
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoQmHTUsmug8VEqOkSZdO8g
