Edwin - Guit, Bass, Harm

Edwin Itoh, a multi-instrumentalist, is the formally trained half of HERE II HERE ‘s lyrical guitar duo. His melodious guitar and haunting harmonium, a traditional Indian instrument, work to create simple, ethereal beauty in HIIH’s music. Though, as the music will testify to, Edwin’s musical mastery runs all the way from catchy pop to Motown soul, to Spanish flamenco, and even farther on to rowdy hillbilly bluegrass. His uncanny ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, an Andean music ensemble from Peru, and also the South Florida rock band Zeno (alongside his brother, Kazuhiro, HIIH’s percussionist).

Born to a Colombian mother and Japanese father, Edwin moved from Cali, Colombia to Miami at age six. Honoring his family’s musical heritage—his grandfather was a gifted musician and traditional Colombian luthier (maker of string instruments) and his uncle a classical guitarist — Edwin studied music at both the New World School of the Arts and the University of Miami. In addition to guitar and harmonium, Edwin also plays the tiple, a traditional stringed instrument from Colombia. Recently, Edwin has brought an important bass element to HIIH's music through the ingenious use of organ pedals translated into the bass.

Upon Edwin’s meeting other members of HERE II HERE (then known as “Inner Voice”) in 2004, an instant soul connection impelled him directly into the heart of this musical dream. His musical life now continues to unfold as he enjoys the “amazing harmony and rhythms of this Universe,” and wonders in the “mysterious beauty of who we are.”