CODE

Jason Block (Lead Vocals, Guitar) jason@japan.email.ne.jp
Jason was born and raised in Boston where he received his BA in Chinese in 1997, around the same time he started playing guitar. Since moving to Japan and meeting Chris Kozak, the two have played together in several incarnations of CODE, playing at local festivals, clubs, and charity events. Jason's musical tastes range from John Scofield to Phish to Rage Against the Machine - all musicians that play with passion. His love of music and his knack for song writing gives CODE that special kind of energy and sound.

Chris Kozak (Saxophone) chriskozak@mac.com
Chris was born in 1973 in Edmonton, Canada, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Alberta studying saxophone. While performing in various classical music ensembles, Chris also played in bands ranging in style from rock to lounge to freeform jazz. He moved to Japan in 1997 and continued performing with assorted bands until co-founding CODE in 2001. His influences include Medeski, Martin & Wood, John Zorn, Branford Marsalis, and King Crimson. Chris' saxophone adds a new dimension to the pop side of CODE, and his powerful solos are part of the core that drives the funk.

Jim Molloy (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Jim's Irish roots followed his family to Newfoundland, Canada. He grew up around music and started playing a variety of instruments at a young age. Jim began playing in bands at 15 and quickly became a staple in the east coast music scene. He completed his BA in sociology and anthropology before moving to Japan in 1996. Jim's sense of harmony and his years of playing are immediately evident to anyone who has seen the band live or heard their records.

Lee Tisdall-McPhee (Bass)
Lee was born in the small town of Bar River, not far from Toronto. He began playing guitar from the age of 12 and took up the electric bass at 13. He completed his performance Degree at Cambrian College and continued to study double bass at the University of Toronto. Since moving to Japan with his wife in 1999, Lee has already played with the Kanagawa Symphony Orchestra and the Fuji Philharmonic Orchestra. His knowledge of music theory and his versatility on electric and double bass ensures that the CODE rhythm section is always much more than drums and bass.

Koichi Sugiyama (Drums)
Born in Japan, Koichi has had an extensive career in the music industry from a young age. He has made a living playing drums for some of Japans premier musicians as a studio musician for over a decade. As an often sought-after session drummer, he has played throughout the Tokyo/Yokohama area in numerous clubs, live music venues, and recording studios. He has been featured on several recordings and has the distinction of playing at Japan's famous Fuji Rock Festival. His rhythm, timing, and experience as well as his different cultural perspective truly add a unique element to the style and music of the band.