International Women’s Week 2025
Chapter 5: A kaleidoscope of sounds
Technically, International Women’s Week ended last weekend. Well, I’m extending it. I woke up Monday morning to find a present waiting for me: A new youtube posting from Rie Tomimatsu (aka Rie aka Suzaku), in collaboration with Senri Kawaguchi and the Ikejiris. For some background:
Rie is a long-time presence on the guitar virtuoso scene, with a focus on fusion. She combines an accessible, melodic style of composition, with a kind of effortless virtuosity which is hard to describe short of seeing it. Here is one of my previous articles about her:
She plays regularly with many of the top jazz, fusion and rock musicians in Japan. Perhaps none of them are as high-profile as Senri Kawaguchi, the one-time prodigy who is now a global star. Here is a previous article on her. If you have time, play the clip “Wupatki”—it is particularly mind-blowing:
The Ikejiris are wife and husband, keyboardist and bassist. They perform and record as Ikejirike, as well as collaborating with many of the top jazz and progressive metal artists in Japan. They are regular guests with Rie.
When I saw this post I immediately knew I could expect melodic composition, rich harmonies, spectacular musicianship and an emotional ride. It did not disappoint.
Fusion, like blues and hard rock, has long been stereotyped as a “male” genre of music. It has also been a long-dormant style. Rie and Senri are bringing it back to life and giving it a shot of divine feminine energy to boot.
Pretty effin' amazing.