Young Gordon Izumi with older brother.
My name is Gordon Izumi. I was named after the renowned Canadian architect Gordon Arnott. I was born on May 1, 1964, the middle child of three, and I share a birthday with Chicago blues legend Little Walter (1930–1968). Maybe that’s why I was destined to have roots rock in my soul.
My love for music was cemented when I moved to Ottawa, Canada. At age six, I first stepped into a music store with my mother—an experience that proved to be a defining moment in my life. I signed up for guitar lessons and was initially made to learn children’s songs, but to my teacher’s dismay, all I really wanted to play was Bob Dylan. And so it began—I immersed myself in the contemporary music of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and when I moved to Waterloo, Ontario, as a young teenager, I started visiting local blues clubs.
Gordon Izumi, age 6 years old.
Gordon Izumi, age 23 years old.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had both great opportunities and musical mentors who showed me how to make things happen. I’ve had my share of struggles and pain, but I’m equally grateful for the adventure and opportunities that have shaped my life. More than anything, I am thankful to have survived and flourished.
Gordon Izumi, age 23 years old at a local protest festival.
My father, Kiyoshi Izumi, was a professor at the University of Waterloo and a prominent Canadian architect known for designing concert halls, museums, and libraries. He also explored the use of LSD as a tool for designing psychiatric hospitals to aid in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. My godfather, Dr. Humphrey Osmond, was the man who coined the term “psychedelic.” My mother, Amy Izumi, was a registered nurse and a visual artist.
Amy Izumi, registered nurse and visual artist, and Gordon Izumi.
Both of my parents were of Japanese heritage and experienced firsthand the discrimination and internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. As their adopted son—a mixed child of Japanese and British descent—I was given the guidance and wisdom to become the person I am today.
Kiyoshi Izumi, a professor at the University of Waterloo and a prominent Canadian architect.
ROCK 'N' ROLL LIFE
I started playing professionally as an underage teenager, sneaking into bars in Waterloo and lying about my age just to perform. Later, I found success in Los Angeles and Japan, moving to Osaka, where I played regularly in several bands and as a solo artist. Along the way, I met musicians like KC from KC and the Sunshine Band, Bryan Adams, and Bon Jovi. I played at some of Japan’s largest outdoor festivals, including Dance on the Banks and the Hand in Hand Festivals, as well as renowned venues like AMU Hall and Banana Hall in Osaka. In 1998, I recorded and released my debut album in Japan and went on to tour Okinawa, Indonesia, and Thailand over the following years.
More recently, I have helped organize and perform at several Canadian festivals, including the annual Music for Miracles Festival, which raises funds for the Access Center in Uganda. As the Director of Philanthropy, I work closely with the Honourable Makmot Edward Otto, a local MP. I also play a role in organizing the Durham Region Rock and Blues Festival, where I have performed with the Junkyard Flamingos. I strongly believe that greatness is only possible through collaboration, and I emphasize effective communication to ensure that all projects run smoothly and reach their full potential.