Blending elements of neo-soul, folk, old-time blues and pop, Justin has the guts of Ray LaMontagne and the soul of Lauryn Hill.
This guitar slinging aficionado has the street smarts of an urban swinger and the heart-bending soul of a gospel preacher, and is adept at blending a dark, bluesy Americana vibe with warm, acoustic soul where bits of old folk music and flamenco tunes swirl in and out of earshot.
Half Japanese, half American Justin Nozuka was born in New York and grew up in Toronto. Raised by a single mother, Justin was the sixth of seven children, where all four of his brothers are artists in some form. As a teen, he spun Motown, folk and hip-hop as he fleshed out his music skills learning guitar with his Mexican friends at boarding school.
During his short career, Justin has already snagged stage time with greats like John Cale, Crowded House and Ziggy Marley and with up-and-comers Sam Roberts, Jully Black and Xavier Rudd.
It’s open aired honesty tightly knit. You’ve discovered something that’s all your own yet it spans backstories and countries to fill a million yards and a hundred theatres. This could be Central Park, could be Massey Hall.
QUOTES:
"In his debut album "Holly", Justin Nozuka has created eleven impressive pieces of thoughtful acoustic-soul. Filled with understated melodies, minimal production and an interesting, sometimes dark take on song-craft...4 Stars." -- BBC
"Superior acoustic soul... 4 Stars." -- Q Magazine, UK
"...Nozuka is producing material that is unlike any other singer songwriters - and consequently is beyond genre definition. Largely, it is one man and his faithful guitar - but with a voice like his, there really is no need for any other instrumentation. In truth it would only get in the way. 4 Stars." -- Belfast Daily Telegraph
“Nozuka seemed very modest, but there was absolutely no reason. He had every eye on him and it was nearly impossible to look away. Every song seemed to outdo the one before it, and when he quietly walked off, we were all aching for more.” --Chartattack.com
Hey Justin, Just stoppin by to show you some love. Haven't been around in a while. Still listen to After Tonight...it's still my favorite. ShariD From WV
Hi Justin! It's Emma from your Boston show on Wednesday. I just wanted to thank you SO much for such an incredible show and for taking the time to meet me after the show. Again, thank you for inspiring me with your insane talent and your passion. It was a privilege to be able to tell you in person how much your music means to me. You are truly the kind of artist that everyone should admire and I can not wait until you come back to Boston! Hope you enjoyed the cookies I gave you!
! heard u were in N.Y.. wen i qo to canada lOl when post updates wen ur bak in C.A BAYBEEE BE BAAK SOON ! lOl im still tryna See u perform live :) keep sinqin ur Heart & Soul out much luuv xD
i'm so in love with "I'm Free". are you sure you can't put it on the new album? maybe you can put out an EP or something? i just really love it...
also, i think that since you started your tour in new york that you should end it here, too. :) i wanna make it out to see you again, but i don't know if you come close enough...sigh.
hope the remainder of the tour goes well. be safe<3
The show at Paradise Rock Club last night was unbelievable. I think it was my favorite thus far. You're such a sweet bunch of guys. So genuine. = ) I won the contest for the meet and greet but didn't get the email until I got home from the concert, and it said it was sent to me fifteen minutes before the doors to the club opened. = ( Maybe I can get a raincheck. Anyway I had a blast and you guys were amazing as usual. <333 -Chelsea T.