Profiles | Joe Okuda

Born in Osaka in 1954, currently based in Los Angeles and Tokyo.

Utilizing the Neumann Binaural Microphone and state of the art digital recording equipment, Joe Okuda records exquisite sounds of nature from around the world. Using these nature sounds as a foundation for his projects, and with his producing and engineering background, he creates a comprehensive world of nature.

Joe's projects were conceived from his feelings of desperation to capture and preserve the sounds of nature in our environment that are constantly being threatened by extinction and to bring forth environment awareness to all.

As a witness to the slowly vanishing beauty of nature, Joe Okuda takes initiative in documenting and archiving these sounds to be passed onto the next seven generations.

Joe Okuda's Projects

2010

Released a DVD " Beauty of Jingu Forest ".
For the 90th Anniversary of enshrinement of Meiji Jingu, one of the most famous shinto shrines in Tokyo Japan.

The images, movies of each seasons in the forest and nature sound were recorded and produced by Joe Okuda and had presented at the ceremony in the Meiji Jingu on November 1st, 2010.

2009

Released 3 DVD " Touch the Wind "," Feel the Water "," Into the Light " as a joint work with a Photographer Junji Takasago
Released CDs " AQUA "," BREEZE "
Live performances with NSO within Japan.

2008

Produced and directed a DVD " Budo refine soul " for Meiji Jingu's, auditorium for the Japanese martial arts called Shiseikan, for it's 35th Anniversary DVD.
Produced and directed an album " NSO " ~ Nature Sound Orchestra featuring Naoyuki Fujii (saxophone), Akira Takahashi(piano) and nature sound by Joe Okuda.
Live performances with NSO within Japan.
Produced and released single CDs " Relax Forest "," Pure Dream "," Slow Wave "

2007

Produced a CD for " Yoga with TINGARA " with the nature sound.

He has been appeared on many TV and radio programs to introduce his works and projects from 2007 to 2010.

And he has been trying to do a new style of events collaborating with various artists such as dancers, singers and instrument players. His nature sound has unlimited potential to work with various kind of music instruments and arts.

2006

Produced the 4th CD, " Yakushima " from the series of Memory of the Earth
Produced DVD for " YAMAGEN " as for it's 15th anniversary.
Created live shows, lectures and toured nationally in Japan.
Honorary member of a government hosted web-site called ECOLIFE.
Live event Joe Okuda's World, with nature sound and music, sponsored by the City Of Tokyo.
Featured in an article in the Asahi Herald, an English newspaper in Japan.
Featured in the Weekender, a weekly English magazine for foreigners in Japan.
Appeared and interviewed on NHK's morning show.( National TV network in Japan)
Appeared as a guest on TV show on satellite Asahi TV network.
Appeared as a guest on various radio shows including TOKYO FM, FM Hakodate, FMK-MIX, RADIO TINGARA.
Lectured at Hokuriku University.

2005

Created and produced a short film called Memory of the Earth - Yakushima.
Released 3 CD " AMAMI ", " NAGI " and " CANOE TRIP " for series called " Memory of the Earth " from GEMMATIKA Records.
Lectured at the World Expo held in Nagoya city.

2004

Worked as a sound consultant for Kajima Corporation.
Worked as a sound consultant for Yaesu book store.

2002

Released a CD " SHIMANTO " for Clearlight Records

1998

Begun his career as a Nature sound artist and started to create music with sound of nature.

1991

Released and sold 250,000 copies of a cover album of Southern All Stars hits called MIDSUMMER BLOSSOMS for Sony Records, Japan.
Produced artists such as Philip Bailey, Leon Russell, Roberta Flak and Peabo Bryson.

1982

Graduated from Musician's Institute in Los Angeles and begun his career as a professional drummer.

1980

Graduated from Osaka Dental University as a DDS.
Moved to USA after graduated Osaka Dental University.