Real name: 牧田清志

A graduate of the Grove School of Music, Yoshio was born in Tokyo. At age 15 he won the All Japan Amateur Folk Contest. In 1976 he moved to the United States where he became a naturalized citizen in 1991. He has produced music for many major record labels but is perhaps best known for his work on the US versions of Studio Ghibli songs. He is a member of the American Screen Actors Guild and the American Television and Radio Celebrities Association (SAG-AFTRA).
For the Japanese jazz critic, please use 牧芳雄.