Kazumi
Watanabe is a jazz and jazz fusion guitarist, from Tokyo, Japan. He
was born on October 14, 1953
Kazumi learned to play guitar from Sadanori Nakamure, one of Japan's
grandmaster guitarists. Kazumi released his first recording in 1971, and
quickly became a promising guitarist in his own right. In 1979, he formed an
all-star band with some of Japan's leading studio musicians, and recorded
the album Kylyn, which is considered a masterpiece in fusion music.
During the eighties Watanabe released a considerable number of jazz-rock
albums. To Chi Ka (1980), with its funk influences and bright sound, is
probably the most famous early title. Some latter albums, such as Mobo Club
(1983) and Mobo Splash (1985) display more experimental tendencies. But the
most famous of all is Spice of Life (1987) which is done in a strongly
melodic style. A DVD has been issued from the tour in which the music was
played with drummer Bill Bruford and bassist Jeff Berlin (who also play on
the studio record). In the 1990s Kazumi assembled an all-Japanese line-up
called Resonance Vox (Vagabonde Suzuki on bass, Rikiya Higahihara on drums,
Tomohiro Yahiro on percussion). This band has released several adventurous
fusion albums.
Watanabe has worked with numerous musicians such as Steve Gadd, Tony Levin,
Jeff Berlin, Bill Bruford, Sly and Robbie, Wayne Shorter, Patrick Moraz,
Marcus Miller, Richard Bona, and Peter Erskine. Since 1996, he has been a
visiting professor of music at Senzoku Gakuen College. He endorses
Steinberger and Paul Reed Smith guitars, and has been chosen Best Jazzman 24
years in a row by Swing Journal's annual poll.
Kazumi
Watanabe is a jazz and jazz fusion guitarist, from Tokyo, Japan. He
was born on October 14, 1953