Dasai Trio

Erika Takagi - guitar
Erika blends Japanese Contemporary music, U.S. & U.K. Rock, Blues and Jazz in her distinctive guitar style. Her creative music expression evolves from her varied background and unusual influences. Beginning with the piano at the age of four, she stunned her family and community in Kagawa, Japan with her musical gift. While she was improving her Classical piano skill, in 2003, the destined encounter with the electric guitar set fire to her desire for music. Shortly afterward, she started a cover band to perform her favorite rock tunes and contemporary music like Maroon 5 and Coldplay.

Although she went on to college for business and finance, her love of the guitar strengthened. After moving to California and studying music at Pasadena City College, she delved into mastering this instrument. Listening to virtuosos such as Jeff Beck, Wes Montgomery, Gary Moore, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, she honed her own individual style.

Erika toured with Petrella, “the First Lady of Country Soul,” in the Midwest. She also formed the group Sistarhythm with Jules Alveria, a singer-songwriter from Indonesia. With Sistarhythm, she took an active role as composer, arranger and mixing engineer by using her proficient skills in Pro Tools.

While currently working as a private guitar instructor and playing the bass for a vibrant group led by Holland Greco and Clark Dark, called “Daddy and the Ladies,” she hones her craft as a graduate student of Music Performance (Jazz Guitar) at California State University, Fullerton, where the Dasai Trio swings into action.

Shawn Graham - bass
Shawn started playing string bass in the ninth grade at the junior high band director's insistence. From that point on, it has been an ongoing love affair. Shawn has played jazz since 1993 when he was introduced to it by his friends in Japan. Shawn has studied bass with some of the area’s top classical professionals. A veteran Orange County jazz musician, he has performed live at many venues throughout the region in a variety of settings from musical theater to big band to his current home, the Dasai Trio.

Shawn hold an associate’s degree in Classical Music Performance as well as a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Music Performance. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Music Performance. Shawn has two self-produced, original jazz albums.

Devin Smith - drums
Growing up in a Christian household, Devin was first exposed to music at his church. Throughout his childhood he was surrounded by musical family members like his sister, who played the piano from an early age, and his father who was a part of the church choir and a Sunday-worship song leader. Following in his sister’s footsteps, his mother encouraged him to play the piano as well. Piano was an excellent starting point, but he felt that the percussions and drums were his musical niche.

From elementary to high school, he played in concert and marching band. Later he realized the piano lessons he took earlier were a key to developing his musical skills like sight-reading and counting. During his senior year, for the first time he tried out for the jazz band to explore the new world. This experience made him determined to further study jazz and to passionately hone his skills on the drums.

He got more involved in jazz while he studied music at Pasadena City College. His musical ability rapidly improved through their excellent music program. This eventually led him to California State University of Fullerton, where he studies as a graduate student of Music Performance. Enjoying playing with world-renowned faculty members and talented musicians, he says, “My diligence paid off and earned the opportunity to advance in my musical journey thus far.”