Keigo Iwami
Keigo Iwami | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 岩見継吾 |
| Born | 1978 |
| Origin | Fukushima, Japan |
| Genres | Jazz, Free improvisation |
| Instruments | Double bass, Electric bass |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Associated acts | Dairo Suga, STUTS, Eiichi Hayashi, Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, Midori |
Keigo Iwami (岩見 継吾, born 1978) is a Japanese double bassist known for his work in jazz and free improvisation. He has performed in numerous bands and projects in Japan and internationally, and is recognized for his versatility across genres.
Early life and education
Iwami was born in Fukushima City, Japan, and moved to Tokyo for university, where he joined the university's jazz club and began teaching himself the double bass. While in college, he performed in street live sessions, which led to active involvement in Tokyo's jazz and improvisation scene.[1][2]
Career
Early career
He has performed with groups such as Dairo Suga's RealBlue, Isao Suzuki's OMA SOUND, Sleep Walker, and Midori,[3] as well as with Alfred Beach Sandal.
Recent career highlights
In July 2017, he performed with MoGoToYoYo, a project led by Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, at the Aarhus Jazz Festival in Denmark, at venues including SÅRT in Aarhus City.[4] The group also appeared at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival the same month, in the Japanese artist lineup.[5]
Iwami has steadily expanded his musical activities across jazz and hip hop scenes, gaining both domestic and international attention.
In July 2021, he performed in STUTS’s one-man show “90 Degrees” at USEN STUDIO COAST, alongside other musicians including JJJ.[6]
By December 2024, Iwami's work had drawn international notice; his performance with SAI was reviewed in English by Sketch Book, which praised the group’s distinctive sound and highlighted Iwami’s expressive bass playing.[7]
In May 2025, the English-language music site Jazz of Japan featured Iwami’s performance on the album Progress by Setagaya Trio, noting his contribution to the group’s dynamic and evolving sound.[8]
This culmination of collaborative work led to his debut appearances at the Fuji Rock Festival in July 2025, where he performed in three different acts: STUTS (Band Set), JJJ, and SAI. Each ensemble offered a unique fusion of instrumental and vocal performance, further showcasing Iwami’s versatility across genres.[9][10]
Collaborations
In recent years, he has joined projects such as GATOS Meeting (led by Eiichi Hayashi), SAI, On the Mountain (led by Yasuhiro Yoshigaki), and Ita–Iwa–Naga (the trio led by Fumio Itabashi), among many others including ensembles led by Atsushi Goto, Ami Fukui, and Ken Nishio. Since 2021, he has been a regular member of STUTS’s live band, contributing to major performances including the producer’s solo shows and festival appearances.
He also leads his own projects, including Oncenth Trio and Zycos.
External links
References
- ↑ "岩見継吾 - JZ Brat Live Info". JZ Brat (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ↑ "コントラバス｜音楽教室 箱". 音楽教室『箱』 (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ↑ "ミドリに新ベーシスト"岩見のとっつぁん"が正式加入". 音楽ナタリー (in 日本語). 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ↑ "MoGoToYoYo (JP) – Aarhus Jazz Festival 2017". Aarhus Jazz Festival archive (in dansk). Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Live from Denmark: The Copenhagen and Aarhus Jazz Festivals (2017)". ECM Reviews. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "STUTSのワンマンライブ『"90 Degrees" LIVE at USEN STUDIO COAST』開催決定". CINRA (in 日本語). 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ↑ "The Jazz Band like no other". Sketch Book. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
- ↑ "Setagaya Trio: Progress". Jazz of Japan. 2025-05-16. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
- ↑ "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '25 LINE-UP". Fuji Rock Festival official website (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-08-09.
- ↑ "振り返るフジロック2025｜賽". Qetic (in 日本語). Retrieved 2025-09-21.
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