Jazz Fusion Legend Ryo Kawasaki, RIP

We are sad to report the death of jazz fusion legend Ryo Kawasaki – Ryo died in Tallinn, Estonia on April 13, 2020, at the age of 73.

RYO KAWASAKI was a Japanese jazz fusion guitarist, composer, and bandleader. During the 1960s, he played with various Japanese jazz groups and also formed his own bands. In the early 1970s, he moved to New York City.

Since late 60´s Kawasaki was one of the important developers in fusion style. He has recorded and toured with many US and Japanese legendary musicians like Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton, Dave Liebman, Ted Curson, Hidehiko Matsumoto, Toshiko Akiyoshi and many more.
Kawasaki invented his own guitar synthesizer in 1979 and later created music software. From 1986 to 1990, Kawasaki produced a series of high-charting 12-inch dance singles that mixed freestyle, house, acid house and ambient sounds and the records were released on his own label, Satellites Records.

Residing in Estonia last 20 years Ryo Kawasaki recorded new jazz albums, also with Estonian musicians. His latest album “Level 8“ was released in March 2017.