Take Five with Gene Ess

Meet Gene Ess Award-winning guitarist, Gene Ess, draws upon a diverse background to form his unique style. Studying classical piano, Gene’s early years were filled with the sounds of Beethoven and Chopin. Originally from Tokyo, Japan and growing up on a U.S. Air Force Base on Okinawa, Gene was simultaneously receiving a mix of influences: he was exposed to the indigenous music of Okinawa andand#151;to the pop and jazz music coming out of the clubs for the American soldiers.  Gene performed in clubs and festivals all around Okinawa at the early age of 14…