Death of Japanese composer, 73

Death of Japanese composer, 73

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norman lebrecht

April 17, 2020

The daughter of Ryo Kawasaki, a pioneering Japanese jazz guitarist who lived in Estonia for 20 years, has announced his death at age 73. No cause was given.

Kawasaki invented a guitar synthesizer that was widely imitated in contemporary jazz.

Comments

  • David J Hyslop says:

    Heard him in the mid 70’s in Portland, Oregon when he was with Chico Hamilton. He was a force and then some.

  • Chris Wilford says:

    Ryo was a very sweet man. A wonderful musician and pretty damn good Straight Pool Player.

    RIP Ryo, I’ll miss you.

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