With small town roots and city smarts, Tim Tamashiro has become a quiet force in the Canadian jazz community. He has become Canada's only executive entertainer, which allows him to perform for world, community and business leaders including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Philip, Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and three Canadian Prime Ministers to name a few.

Prior to his retirement from live performance in Feb. 2007, Tim started out as a piano major at Red Deer College School of Music in 1986. He discovered his singing voice while enrolled in the jazz choir class, which he was required to take for the credits.

Tim soon learned that singing was much easier than playing piano so without any deliberation whatsoever, he abandoned the piano all together and became a singer. Throughout his time in college, Tim went through his 'discovery stage' singing any kind of music that came to mind but soon the lure of jazz convinced him that jazz was what his baritone pipes were meant for. A crooner was born.

In reality, Tim's adventure in the music business had been planned since he was in high school where he made the connection that if he learned the 'business' as well as 'music' his chances of earning a living through doing something he loved had a high probability. After college, Tim got his first job at the local HMV music store in Red Deer, Alberta and within two years, he was offered a job as a representative for MCA Records Canada.

MCA provided Tim with what he refers to as his 'paid education'. Always an experiential learner, Tim discovered aspects of the music industry that could really open up doors for him. The most important lesson was that relationships are the key to success throughout life. Relationships allow doors to open.

Armed with this new knowledge, Tim gave up his job with MCA and decided to become a full time jazz singer. Moving to Calgary in 1992, Tim started to get to know the local musicians and was soon booking gigs for himself. In 1995, Tim released his debut CD entitled 'Wiseass Crooner' to critical acclaim. The album was soon picked up by BMG for distribution and small tours started to happen throughout Canada.

Traveling and performing throughout Canada soon made Tim a bit of a fixture on the jazz circuit. Playing venues such as The Montreal Jazz Festival, Top O' the

Senator in Toronto, Vancouver Jazz Festival and many places in between allowed Tim to heighten his skills. But there was something missing.

When he became a father, he discovered exactly what he was missing. It was simple... he needed some roots. The touring had come to an end and Tim concentrated his efforts on delivering the very best executive entertainment services in Western Canada. He can also be heard weekends hosting CBC Radio 2's jazz program Tonic.

With four albums, one book and even an inclusion on an Alberta CD compilation for the Smithsonian Institute, Tim Tamashiro is a respected leader in the Canadian music industry. Onward.