"No More" music video
"this is the closest singing to John and George I've ever heard". Jim KeltnerHEDAY
“I came to this country with just a guitar – I was nobody from nowhere.” So says Heday (Hidehito Ikumo) a guitarist/songwriter/vocalist and string arranger. Since his arrival in the United States, Heday’s accomplishments include playing guitar with a Beatle (Ringo Starr); arranging strings and horns for a legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame originator (Jerry Lee Lewis) and winning praise from luminaries like Jim Keltner (John Lennon, George Harrison, Tom Petty) and Van Dyke Parks (The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson.)
The Beatles connection is prophetic: growing up in Japan, Heday’s first exposure to rock music was through the Japanese band Southern All-Stars, who had been influenced by the British foursome. “I was reading a book by the singer and he mentioned them,” recalls Heday. “So I started listening.”
It was Heday’s dream to escape the stifling social confines of Japan. “I never fit in. I was always a rebel. I had an English teacher who couldn’t speak English – what was that about?” As a high school student, he lived in Montana as an exchange student “where everyone was white and the girls were beautiful,” he recalls.
He returned to the U.S. to continue his education at Santa Monica City College. Although he had never played classical music, he was inspired by the background of producer Sir George Martin and dove into classical studies, eventually graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor of Music degree.
Between his studies and practicing up to eight hours per day, Heday became a regular performer at the vast network of open mic events across Los Angeles where he performed in vivid contrast to the sorrowful folk singers, playing intricate classical selections on his nylon string guitar. This fearless introduction was a gateway to invaluable contacts and an entree into the music business.
After graduation, Heday booked time at Studio City Sound in Los Angeles to record his music, and he impressed the facility’s owner, Grammy Award-winning engineer/mixer Tom Weir. When Heday enlisted a string section to add texture to his recordings, Weir inquired as to his availability as a string arranger for Teen Witch, The Musical, Cast Recording Soundtrack. Suddenly, Heday had a parallel career.
Returning to the source of his original muse, Heday joined with artist-producer Doctor Osamu Kitajima to record Beatles’ songs in both English and Japanese versions. It was through this project that Heday met drummer Jim Keltner and invited him to play on the sessions. It was Keltner who in turn invited Heday to play with Ringo Starr for a Klaus Voormann-directed documentary, Sideman’s Journey.
Now, a new band project, Layla Lane, unites Heday with Valerie Stern, a pianist, songwriter and vocalist with a Masters Degree in classical music from USC. Their upbeat, bouncy pop music incorporates elements of Brit-pop, Gypsy jazz, classic rock and symphonic sophistication, and evokes a sunny musical landscape illuminated by Heday’s consummate, fiery fretwork.
As he continues to evolve as a musician and an artist, Heday reflects on his journey from Japan to California. “I want people to realize there is so much potential in everyone of us. People say, ‘Be confident,’ but you can’t be confident for no reason. Working hard is a virtue; it makes you strong.” (Dan Kimpel)
As A Guitarist
Heday has eceived BA in classical guitar from UCLA. He studied with Scott Tennant of Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Noboru Muraji (a father and teacher of a famous guitarist Kaori Muraji), Petter Yates and Eishun FukuiPlease send a message for guitar lessons.
As A String ArrangerHeday's arrangements are done according to the classical music theory, and yet have nice rock feel. His clients say that his arrangements reminded them of George Martin's. He has his own great sting players ready for sessions. If you need string arrangements for your material, please feel free to contact.
Credits/Clients and Awards
String ArrangementJerry Lee Lewis"Teen Witch the Musical" sound track by Larry Weir and Tom Weir (a grammy winning producer-engineer)"Moondace Alexander"(vocal arrangement) by Michael Damian.Sasha Cohen's first movieJason SinayJared SagalMark VogelTim HenleyLea Hermanand more.ProducingLouise Ohlsson.the song was played on MTV in Scandinavia.AwardsHonorable Mention in Randy Rhoads Classical Guitar Competition 2004Honarable Mention in SONY Digi-Cre Award 2000The winner of the Teen's Music Festival in Yaizu 2000
