Kazumi Watanabe

The Profile

Kazumi Watanabe is a Japanese jazz fusion guitarist, active since the 1970s, celebrated for his electric-guitar technique and imagination and for collaborations with contemporaries such as Ryuichi Sakamoto and Akiko Yano.

Born 1953 in Tokyo. Prominent figure in Japanese jazz fusion, particularly noted for late 1970s/early 1980s recordings and live performances.

The provided review treats Kylyn Live as a historic consecration of Kazumi Watanabe as an electric-guitar genius. It highlights technique serving imagination, a blend of fusion, electronics and diverse styles, and notable contributions from contemporaries such as Ryuichi Sakamoto and Akiko Yano. The recording took place at Roppongi Pit Inn, Tokyo, June 15–17, 1979. The reviewer rates it 5/5.