Yaz Ishikawa

Yasuo "Yaz" grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, with a guitarist as a father and a mother of many talents including being a cook for a girl's dormitory. His grandmother also worked as a chef at a traditional Japanese restaurant and dinner entertainment.

Arriving in Colorado in 1994, he spent his first seven years in America studying jazz saxophone. Then, he worked for the Consulate General of Japan for about 14 years. During that time, he become friends with the chefs who came from Japan to work at the Consul-General's home. From those highly trained chefs, he learned many cooking tips.

 In 2013, he began pursuing a music career and released his first jazz CD. He also started working as a sushi chef in Boulder. Only a year and a half later, he moved to the small town of Ridgway, Colorado. Ever since then, he has been working in the kitchen at various restaurants while learning many Japanese dishes at home. He also performs solo and with other musicians around the area.

In July 2023, he began to-go food service with a small Japanese menu at Land and Ocean Restaurant. He served authentic, home-style dishes every Sunday through mid-September 2023, but decided to take a break and consider how to make the business more efficient.