T-Square (band)

T-Square
T-Square performs at Asiatique in 2012.
T-Square performs at Asiatique in 2012.
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresJazz fusion, jazz, instrumental rock, smooth jazz, pop rock, city pop
Years active1976–present
Labels
  • Sony Records (1991–2000)
  • Village Music (2000–2015)
  • Orange Lady (2015–present)
  • T-SQUARE Music Entertainment (2016–present)
MembersTakeshi Itoh
Satoshi Bandoh (ja)
Past membersMasahiro Andoh
Yuhji Nakamura
Junko Miyagi (ja)
Michael S. Kawai (ja)
Yuhji Mikuriya
Kiyohiko Semba (ja)
Daisaku Kume (ja)
Jun Aoyama (ja)
Toyoyuki Tanaka (ja)
Eiji Shimizu
Hirotaka Izumi
Tohru Hasebe (ja)
Hiroyuki Noritake
Mitsuru Sutoh (ja)
Masato Honda
Takahiro Miyazaki (ja)
Tadashi Namba (ja)
Keiji Matsumoto (ja)
Keizoh Kawano
Websitetsquare.jp

T-Square (formerly known as The Square), stylized in all-uppercase T-SQUARE, is a Japanese jazz fusion band formed in 1976.[1] They became famous in the late 1970s and early 1980s along with other Japanese jazz bands.[2] They are known for songs such as "Truth", "Japanese Soul Brothers", "Takarajima", and "Omens of Love", among others.

During the first years simply The SQUARE was printed on the frontsides of their albums. After the renaming of the band to T-Square the imprint changed to T-SQUARE (all in Capital letters) and their typical logo became a capital letter T printed over a red square. The logo has been modified several times, reflecting the changing band names such as T-Square alpha (where an α sign was added to the logo), T-Square plus (where the text "plus" was added centered next to the T in smaller letters).[3]

"Truth" was used as the theme for Fuji Television's Formula One coverage from 1987 to 1998 and starting in 2012.[4] Special arrangements of this song were used as the theme for Japan's F1 2001 to 2006.[note 1]

The band has won, all told, 12 Japan Gold Disc Awards. In the 80s, "SPORTS",[6] "Truth",[7] "Yes, No",[8] and even their "F1 Grand Prix" compilation album won Gold Discs in the Jazz-Fusion category.[9] In the 90s, "Natural",[10] "Impressive",[11] "Human",[12] "Natsu no Wakusei",[13] "B.C. A.D."[14] and "Gravity" all won Gold Discs.[15] After more than two decades without Gold Discs, they've recently won back-to-back for 2021's "FLY! FLY! FLY!"[16] and 2022's "WISH" as part of the Instrumental Album of the Year category.[17]

  1. ^ Atkins, E. Taylor (2001). Blue Nippon: authenticating jazz in Japan. Duke University Press. p. 28. ISBN 9780822327219.
  2. ^ Atkins, E. Taylor (2001). Blue Nippon: authenticating jazz in Japan. Duke University Press. p. 255. ISBN 9780822327219.
  3. ^ "T-Square". Discogs (in German). Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "The Complete Selection -The 25th Anniversary of Fuji Television Grand Prix- released!" The Complete Selection -The 25th Anniversary of Fuji Television Grand Prix-リリース！！. News (in Japanese). T-SQUARE. March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "TRUTH -20th ANNIVERSARY-" TRUTH 〜20th ANNIVERSARY〜. T-SQUARE official site (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "1st Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第1回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  7. ^ "2nd Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第2回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "3rd Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第3回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "4th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第4回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "5th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第5回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  11. ^ "7th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第7回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  12. ^ "8th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第8回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  13. ^ "9th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第9回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  14. ^ "11th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第11回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  15. ^ "13th Japan Gold Disc Awards" 第13回日本ゴールドディスク大賞. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Instrumental Album of the Year" インストゥルメンタル・アルバム・オブ・ザ・イヤー. 36th Japan Gold Disc Awards. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "Instrumental Album of the Year" インストゥルメンタル・アルバム・オブ・ザ・イヤー. 37th Japan Gold Disc Awards. Japan Gold Disc Awards (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.


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