[TOMT] A Japanese rock or jazz fusion musician (2000's?)

There's a particular Japanese musician whose videos I've seen linked to on reddit.

I'm fairly certain he's currently active, or from the 2000s. The music videos were fairly modern.

He's a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, keys, and singing at the very least. He may even be playing every instrument on his albums.

The genre of music was rock with a slight jazz fusion twist, from what I remember. Sorry that's a bit vague. Maybe a bit of prog rock, with a hint of vaporwave or similar electronic subgengre. Definitely nothing close to punk or indie rock.

Looks-wise, I recall him being a bit chubby. Maybe with a bit of a beard/goatee? Short hair. I think he wore glasses or sunglasses.

The video I remember was not too distinctive, mainly consisting of waist-up shots of him singing into a mic in the studio, with dramatic lighting. For the guitar solo parts it showed him playing guitar. It occasionally showed him playing the other instruments. In the video I believe he wore all black.

Posted Sep 17, 2017, 4:37 PM UTC · edited

18
LandoFreeman6•

I'm gonna guess Nujabes

1
SyricOP•

He has a similar look to Nujabes but not him. The guy I'm thinking of is probably less famous than Nujabes, and definitely more of a guitarist than a producer.

I have a feeling I saw his videos linked on either r/guitar or r/guitarpedals where someone was asking how to achieve a similar fuzz tone.

1
MyFactsAreWrong1•

Most likely Uyama Hiroto. As for the music, both Jizue and Mouse on the Keys are very similar to what you described, but they are bands.

1
SyricOP•

Sound-wise I think Uyama and Mouse on the Keys are on the right track (less so Jizue) but I didn't recognize any of the videos I saw.

But solid recommendations nonetheless.

1
MyFactsAreWrong1•

Then my best guess is DJ Okawari, followed by DJ Krush, Tsutchie, Force of Nature and Michita.

1
SyricOP•

These are circling around the right answer but no dice I'm afraid.

I may have overstated the jazz fusion angle a little bit. What I'm thinking of is more guitar-driven. Just a little bit jazz-fusiony.

Sorry, your guesses have been great though.

1
MyFactsAreWrong1•

My last guess is Kashiwa Daisuke. The big names as for similar bands are World's End Girlfdriend and Toe.

Haha I'll be damned if I don't get it right sooner or later.

1