Mikio Masuda

Biography

Mikio Masuda (益田 幹夫), also known as Mickey Masuda, is a Japanese jazz and jazz fusion keyboardist born on August 14, 1949, in Osaka, Japan. Largely self-taught, Masuda began his musical journey playing bass at age 16 before switching to piano and performing in various clubs throughout Osaka. In 1969, he relocated to Tokyo, where he became an integral part of the burgeoning Japanese jazz scene of the early 1970s.

Masuda's career flourished through collaborations with some of Japan's most prominent jazz musicians, including performances in a quartet with Motohiko Hino, Shunzo Ohno, and Terumasa Hino. His international breakthrough came in 1973 when he performed at the International New Jazz Meeting at Burg Altena, Germany. He recorded his debut album "Trace" for East Wind Records in 1974, followed by the jazz-fusion album "Mickey's Mouth" in 1976, which showcased his crossover sound after forming his own fusion group. Moving to New York City in 1978, Masuda expanded his musical horizons, recording the album "Corazón" and working with prominent American musicians. His later New York sessions produced notable trio albums including "Black Daffodils" (1996) with Ron Carter and Lewis Nash, and "Blue Dumplings" (1998) with Ron Carter and Grady Tate.

Masuda's musical style encompassed jazz, jazz fusion, soul, and funk, with his proficiency extending across piano, synthesizer, and organ. Between 1972 and 1998, he participated in 46 recording sessions, establishing himself as one of Japan's leading jazz pianists. His work bridged the gap between traditional jazz and the emerging fusion movement in Japan, contributing to the genre's development in the Asia-Pacific region during the 1970s and beyond.

Fun Facts

• Masuda switched from bass to piano early in his career, initially starting as a bassist at age 16 before finding his true calling as a keyboardist
• He performed at the prestigious International New Jazz Meeting at Burg Altena, Germany in 1973, bringing Japanese jazz fusion to an international audience
• His crossover/fusion group was named 'Mickey's Mouth' after his nickname 'Mickey,' and their 1976 debut album featured mainly original compositions
• Despite being active for over two decades and participating in 46 recording sessions, Masuda maintained a relatively low profile internationally, with a Spotify popularity rating of only 2

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Terumasa Hino - Performed in quartet together, Masuda was part of Hino's group (Trace (1974), International New Jazz Meeting performance (1973)) [early 1970s]
• Motohiko Hino - Quartet member and recording collaborator (Trace (1974)) [early 1970s]
• Ron Carter - Bassist on multiple trio recordings (Black Daffodils (1996), Blue Dumplings (1998)) [1996-1998]
• Lewis Nash - Drummer on trio album (Black Daffodils (1996)) [1996]
• Grady Tate - Drummer on trio album (Blue Dumplings (1998)) [1998]
• Anthony Jackson - Bassist on New York recording (Corazón (1979)) [1978-1979]
• Bernard Purdie - Drummer on New York recording (Corazón (1979)) [1978-1979]
• Kazumi Watanabe - Japanese jazz guitarist collaborator (Various projects) [1970s]
• Kosuke Mine - Japanese jazz saxophonist collaborator (Various projects) [1970s]
• David Matthews - Worked together during New York period (Various NYC sessions) [late 1970s-1980s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Let's Get Together (DJ Notoya Presents Funk Tide - Tokyo Jazz Funk From Electric Bird 1978-87)
2. REFRESHING (CHI CHI)
3. WALKIN' IN THE CITY (CHI CHI)
4. SONG OF FANTASY (CHI CHI)
5. Mickey Finn (Mickey Finn)
6. MOZAMBIQUE (CHI CHI)
7. JUST HUNGING (CHI CHI)
8. ESCRAVA DA ALEGRIA (CHI CHI)
9. Skippin' High (Mickey Finn)
10. Tico Tico (Mickey Finn)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia