The friend I mention at the end is "BARRY HARRIS, one of the most prominent and recorded hard bop pianists in the history of jazz, AND the most selfless and dedicated voice in jazz education. Ryo got Barry gigs, and Barry gave Ryo pointers. They became good friends thereafter." I got a message from r/vinyl that I never mentioned his name or who he is so I'll do it in the pinned rest assured you should also check his work out too. Especially if you like Fukui.

@mrbeandip2356

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem Do you have any Hypothesis on why My Favourite Tune fell into rarity and was lost?

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I asked Marcel, but he didn't have an answer. My theory is that it was self published at the Slow Boat, so you could only get it at the club or on tour ( though I'm not sure if they were touring at that time still). So there were not many copies made.

@mrbeandip2356

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem oh ok, interesting theory and it does seem most plausible. I hope the Jazz club is still open. I aspire to go to it sometime in my life.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah Josh told me (the guy that got Marcel the copy of my favourite tune) they still do shows every week , in fact some of the images from this video are from there Facebook page .

@mrbeandip2356

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem oh that is awesome. Well I better save up money

I saw this documentary maybe 2 weeks ago. I went to Sapporo last week and went to a Jazz bar without really paying attention to the name of it. After the concert, I was talking to the owner of the bar. During our conversation, I realized the poster of Ryo Fukui on the wall and told the owner that I recently saw a documentary about this jazz musician on KZread. She told me that Ryo Fukui is her husband and that this jazz bar is actually "Slowboat". I felt a little bit dumb and couldn't believe it. I told her how people all over the world learn about Fukui's amazing music and she said that she's so happy to know that. Just wanted to let you know that...

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

That's wonderful, I did send Slow Boat a link to this video and they set me up with a Jazz Critic who helped me transcribe it into Japanese. Hope you had a good time there !

@Trockenbrett

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem yes I had a wonderful time there. Thank you for spreading Ryo Fukuis legacy all over the world

@rasarmusic1

5 жыл бұрын

This is awesome! The internet remains undefeated once again.

@mb5030

4 жыл бұрын

That's very cool.

I met Ryo and Yasuko Fukui in September 1978 in Sapporo at a performance of his at the long-defunct jazz club Veedro. We became close friends and our friendship lasted until his death, which came as a terrible shock. I last saw him in Tokyo in October, 2015, and there was as yet no sign of his illness. I am still in touch with Yasuko-san (and owe her a call). Incidentally, he much preferred his second album, Mellow Dream, to his first, Scenery, and the title cut became his signature tune. The trio performed live for several years but did not record again, as noted in the documentary. I have a copy of his third "long lost" album, My Favorite Tune, sent to me by Yasuko-san. It was recorded in a church in 1993. Though not a Christian, Ryo-san liked the piano and acoustics. His father was a helluva a shamisen player and took of jazz in his 60s. Bye for now.

ryo's album in my recommendation feed was a gift from the gods

Stumbling on his music was one of my happiest moments.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah I remember when I saw the cover to Scenery , I thought it would be an electronic experimental Japanese thing but then it was Modal Jazz . Pleasant Surprise all things considered.

@gabemando7823

6 жыл бұрын

Quickly became one of my favorite musicians, I got all of his albums now

@trevinotano

6 жыл бұрын

Melanie Anne Ahern Same

@dongshenghan1473

6 жыл бұрын

let me guess: you got his album recommended while letting youtube autoplay japanese city pops

@gabemando7823

6 жыл бұрын

Dongsheng Han I bet you are so much better than us plebs by stumbling onto him in a different way

I loved how you took an unusual topic, some random quirk of youtube's algorithm, and tied into a historical perspective of Japanese jazz and the way digital and online music which helps to give new generations of music listeners a chance to discover old, obscure pieces of music.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! I'm glad it all came together

Can confirm. KZread recommended Ryo Fukui to me and it was love at first listen.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

You have no idea how many people have told me that after making this video it's real sweet to hear

@katsuru

6 жыл бұрын

I would love for you to make deep-end discoveries like this in perhaps other genres or for other albums/artists. A historical documentary type of theme would really go well with what you're doing. I can only hope you gain many more subscribers for doing such! Great work!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I had an idea to do one on Nujabes, I believe he's the most popular Japanese artist on the internet. Also might do a shorter video on the single Plastic Love

@scoobyrex247

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem my Japanese wifu would greatly appreciate nujabes

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I would love to do it to be honest, it's all on if I can find all the information I'd like and can build the narrative. Does your wife have any good sources of info I could look into ?

Self taught at 23 with no prior experience. That’s brilliant.

@jimmotrumann2001

7 ай бұрын

I'm 23 right now, kinda motivating me to start 😭

dude i became a fan of him when he popped out of my feed. its like accidentally founding a diamond in a pile of hay. its goddamn life changing and thats not even an exaggeration. i listen to this every chance i get. thank you universe.

@PatchFact

6 жыл бұрын

Gino Israel I feel you man, freaking magic

@Delawaredupont

6 жыл бұрын

Thank KZread's very random algorithm, its calculations are either a gift or a travesty...

Glad this has been posted. Listened to his album 'Scenery' about 3 months ago thanks to a KZread recommendation. Fell in love

Very neat video! I was the one who sent My Favorite Tune to Marcel a few months ago. Ryo's wife Yasuko is still running Slowboat in Sapporo and there are shows there every week! :)

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Oh damnnnnn , You're that legendary Josh! How is the Slowboat I'd love to go there one day. I was going to send them an email, but I heard they don't speak English ?

@joshconeby

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem Naturally they mostly speak Japanese, but they should be able to reply to you in English if you send an email.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Do you think I should send them the video?

@joshconeby

6 жыл бұрын

It might be interesting to them, although of course they will know all that's been shown, and a lot more about Ryo Fukui.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

More just for the sake of hey I made this about Fukui, you might enjoy to see it

To continue...Ryo-san was a serious amateur baseball player, a knuckleballer. He dropped out of HS because he wanted to be a pro (his HS in tiny Obihiro didn't have a team). He came from a musical family but had limited formal education in Western music. He briefly dabbled in rock guitar when he was 14 but quickly lost interest. He began studying accordion when he was 18 and was a suburb jazz accordionist. I'm surprised he never recorded his accordion playing in a studio. His wife, Yasuko-san, has many cassette tapes of live sessions featuring both instruments. It would be wonderful if they could be digitized. Ryo-san was one of the wittiest people I've ever met and a gourmand, to boot. Wonderful people. He is seriously missed.

One of the biggest things I regret not doing was visiting the Slowboat Cafe when I was visiting Sapporo in February, literally months before Ryo Fukui died. I was so close to it, and possibly passed by it once, but it completely phased my mind when I was there, at it will forever be one of my biggest regrets.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry to hear that , his Jazz club is still running so if you do get the chance perhaps you can go back and pay your respects one day

I love "Early Summer".

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Great song

Saw Mugi, hit like.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

same buddy

@anandakang

6 жыл бұрын

that's exactly what I did too

Great video, terrific visuals as well! The animation of Barry at the end tho, deadass brought me to tears. An old friendship between two masters. This is like a success story for the internet, though. We were there when Barry re-dedicated Fukai Aijo for his late friend, and we were there when Marcel (the absolute Madman) uncovered My Favorite Tune. It's a great feeling, like Ryo's story is still being told, and we've got seats in the front row.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

That's high praise I'm glad the story could connect with you so well, I was hoping to bring the whole narrative to people beyond Japan.

I found his album on the recommendations almost a year ago and when I first found it I listened to it in full everyday for about 3 months and it inspired me to take up learning the piano. I’ve taken two semester of piano now at my local community college and have a newfound appreciation and love for all things piano and jazz related. Thank you Ryo Edit: Wow, just found out that him and I have started the piano at the same age. Interesting how life does that huh?

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Oh wow that's fantastic, I hope you keep up the Piano in future if Fukui shows anything, its that it is never too late to try something

@bentoth3814

3 жыл бұрын

Reading this two years later. Did the piano continue? Or did the flame die

@LegitCactus

3 жыл бұрын

@@bentoth3814 Still playing! However, I don't believe I am as good as I should be for starting 2 and a half years ago. I know some stuff though: several scales by heart, can play and read any scale for 2 octaves, got myself a full 88 key board 2 christmases ago and last christmas got myself the offical final fantasy song book and learned several of my favorite songs able to play mostly perfect at full speed, reading pieces comes pretty easy to me now, and I know a good bit of basic music theory. I play here and there all the time to keep myself warm and to not get rusty but I don't play as much as I would like to since life and whatnot. Last piece I learned was "return to zanarkand" and that took me about the whole summer since I had to go back and forth on it constantly

sick dude, nice to make a video on fukui, i love his music.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

He's a dude , I've been planning a video on him for like a year, just needed to have the resources to do it.

I will never forget it....I discovered Scenery in the end of March of 2016, I liked it so much and I wanted more information about Ryo and I look for it in Google. Wikipedia show me that he passed away some days before, I felt sad and in shock. I thought why!!?? Anyway, he left us a beautiful master piece.

youtubes music recs have improved greatly, i used to just get recommend that one tycho album(dive) but now theres a lot more variety and a lot more obscure great stuff

@kmanc8571

6 жыл бұрын

lol is everyone getting the same recommendations??

@h.e.c.t.o.r.

3 жыл бұрын

@@kmanc8571 yep, plantasia, cassipea, even the rainbow goblins where some random, and equally great, recommendations ive got recently

@kmanc8571

3 жыл бұрын

@@h.e.c.t.o.r. ey I know those lol

@h.e.c.t.o.r.

3 жыл бұрын

@@kmanc8571 The youtube algorithm is working just as in the 10s, lets hope it continues like that. PD great taste youve got there imo

I want to share a thought with you all internauts. I find Fukui's pianism so odd and standard at the same time, it's a vibe I don't get from most jazz pianists (not saying they're not good, because they are VERY good, but they do have a different style). You can tell he used to practice standard classical methods, and there are some typical classical harmonies here and there, but at the same time he had this innocent, pure jazz soul, almost like a beginner who just started listening to modal and hard bop. So it's a unique blend of simplicity and rigorous methods, of standard bop pianism and heartfelt melodies. And these feelings are not separate, it's like if they are two faces of the same coin. Scenery is so raw, so simple, yet its semplicity makes it intellectual and thought-provoking and even technical. Furthermore you have this typical japanese atmosphere, this neon-lights-street/urban-landscape background that is cause and consequence of an imaginary nostalgia for a past in your small house, the power of being forever young in your adult and then decrepit body. It's like if Fukui is telling us: you live an adult life, you succumb to the rigorous laws of history and evolution, but you're never too old to be young inside. It's the power of dreaming, of never growing up deep inside. Scenery and Mellow Dream are two gems, they are not pretentious or overtly original, but they stand out in the crowd of jazz LP's because of their pureness. Just my two cents, just my interpretation and what it makes me feel. --EDIT-- You have no idea how many hidden jazz gems exist in the world. It's the same for every music genre (for example metal, classical, electronica) , but the nice feeling here is even stronger. If you're interestes, check out these artists from my country (Italy): Vittorio Chessa, Stefano Bollani, Paolo Fresu, Eneide, Perigeo. On a more rock/prog field we have PFM, La Locanda delle Fate, Banco del Mutuo soccorso, Area.

@leaveovertheriver

4 жыл бұрын

Maybe you will never read this, but Fukui stole his album from Mustaine, just like all the songs in the world were composed by Mustaine

Outstanding video in every regard. I was left with not only a newfound appreciation for Ryo Fukui, but also a lot of respect for your work.

I think a lot of people go about finding out about Ryo Fukui the same way. First you see the recommend video. You ignore it for a month or two, and then, when nothings being uploaded, it appears again, you say to yourself, fuck it let's see what this is like. And you just fall instantly in love with it, and all his other albums you go on to listen to.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

You're not wrong

it was time someone talk about this, incredible video essay love it!

KZread recommendations made me discover a lot of 70s80s music from Japan.

So happy to find out more about Ryo. Scenery has stood out in my musical life for the past couple years. Thank you.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem I hope to do this for more artists in future

Amazing work! Thank you for making this.

Thank you so much for this video!! I loved it.

Awesome video Stevem, thanks!

I'm gonna be turning 23 in a few weeks and I've always wanted to learn to play the piano. Great vid.

This channel is such a gem, I’m so glad I found it!

The effort put into this documentary is crazy. Great informative package coupled with really pleasing visuals and musical recommendations. Ryo's story has to be told to every single young musicians out there.

Great retrospective!

Funny thing I saw him in my recommendations was sad to find he passed away after doing a google search, I'm happy you did this video on him. This actually inspired me to do videos on more talented artist like him never got there due!

Thank you so, so much for making this video!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

It was my pleasure

top quality video. not often you see them. im so sad that i missed liking jazz when he was alive but its thanks to youtubes platform that i have come to love it.

Thanks for that, your documentary is all I wanted to learn.

Fantastic video my man. I've been so curious of Ryo's past after discovering his music while I was in Japan. Awesome that he's getting the recognition his talent derserves

Dude, your channel is so informative.

Fantastic video! This was information I didn’t know I was thirsty for.

Im so glad you covered Ryo Fukui. Been listening to him for a couple years and he is amazing.

Thank you for making this !

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem been thinking of doing a quick Japanese Jazz album primer soon if it all works out

I appreciate the effort put into this video. Also had a soft spot for Ryo Fukui. It was a year before he died when i discovered him and the album had just come out. Felt lucky he was still alive. My luck ran thin.

I just went to japan and bought his album. The quality was superb. Thank you Mr Fukui for this wonderful art...

I am now a subscriber because of this right here. I discovered Ryo a couple years back and have been a fan of his work ever since. In the back of my mind I've thought it would be great to see video essay on him and his work but figured it'd be unlucky since he's relatively obscure. You did a fantastic job, thank you for taking the time to share it with the wider KZread community.

Just want to say: Thank you for doing this, thank you for opening our eyes to a new world and to history. You earned a subscriber. I know it's not a lot, but I'm really happy to see your videos.

Thank you for making this video!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem I plan to make on similar topics

I have an actual cd of My Favorite Tune, and yes, I am flexing on y'all

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Now That's Flexin

I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Thank you for this great vid.

i've wondered about this artist for awhile now. thx for all the info!

Great editing and great topic choice ;) relatable and interesting

I really loved this video, thank you

I am so happy this video came out. I found Scenery last year at the start of Summer and as a lover of Jazz I could not stop listening to it. I am glad Fukui's mysteriousness is finally solved through this video. I did my own research on Fukui but nothing can beat this video. I also find it interesting you used "Kids on the Slope". Assuming you have seen it, I hope if a season 2 comes out that Ryo Fukui and his album are played respects.

Very informative! Thanks for this.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem, I hope to do more in the future

I can't thank you enough for this video! Discovering Ryo just a year or so back has been such a boon to my quality of life, and I am very happy to hear more about him!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem, that sentiment has been spread all over since I posted this video, I'm glad his music was such a force for positivity.

Excellent documentary! Like many others on KZread, I stumbled on this by total accident. However, it was one of the most happy accidents I could've ever experienced. Fukui is right up there with some of the best jazz pianists(Bill Evans, Robert Glasper, Monk, etc)

Thanks for making this video, Ryo sure needs more recognition. Scenery and his other albums are masterpieces.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No probs the more I think about it Mellow Dream might be my preferred Ryo album that or Favourite Tune

Great video! Just earned a new subscriber. Japan's jazz culture is so interesting.

Dude, thank you so so much for your work. Thank you for sharing all this info, I'm so grateful. This guy's are really important for me, specially master Barry Harris. Thank you for letting ppl know where the things come from and how our views are fed. Metta

Been waiting for a video like this for a long time. Thank you.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem and more to on Japanese Music (for a little while at least)

I remember in early 2017 finding this album as many have through youtube reccomendations. At the time the album was only viewd about 100,000 times and at this point I've had to have listened to it about half a dozen times, maybe even more. This album carried me through one of my toughest semesters so far in college and the hardest time of my life so far. This album carried me through nights of strudying, sadness, and struggle. I always turned back to the soothing tones and exciting movements in this album to remind myself that there is so much beauty in this world that I have yet to discover.

日本語字幕、本当にありがとうございます。素晴らしい動画です。勉強させてもらいました。

Thanks for this!

these videos are beautiful and the music aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa so good. thanks for bringing this to light and keep at it

this video is a true piece of art (and heart too). subscribed

Videos like this make KZread worth visiting. Thank you for the excellent material!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

no problem i'll try and keep it up

I never thought i would enjoy video essay about jazz... glad i did

Your work is great, i love the editing of the video.

That ending was beautiful buddy, well done

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks dude!

Thank you so much for making this video. I knew nothing about the history of jazz in Japan, only that there were devotees of it to be found there. I had never heard of Ryo, and was so moved by his story. I am going to check out his albums now.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you related to the topic so much, even if you didn't know about it coming in, if anything that means I did the job right

What a stylish ending and way to convey jazz as a kind of transitioning canvas. I also discovered Scenery thanks to KZread recommendations, and I will never forget the name Ryo Fukui ever again. Thanks for making this beautiful video, I salute you.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem Angel glad you enjoyed

hi i’m back here to say that this is one of my most beloved youtube videos ive seen to date… and i’m glad barry harris spoke about his friend ryo before he passed himself for barry n ryo together forever once again ryo fukui ( 6/1/1948 - 3/15/2016 ) barry harris ( 12/15/1929 - 12/8/2021 )

Awesome video thanks for making this. Also the editing on this is top notch

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you I wanted to get back using programmes like after effects with more visual design, I'm glad the extra time put in payed off

Good work, thank you. I remember when that My Favorite Tune appeared on my recommendations one day! What a treat that was :D

I'm so glad you put that Sakamichi no apollon clip in there. I appreciate this

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

It seemed the most relevant (and the best quality footage you can get that relates to the topic)

Someone finally did it. Thank you

Love the Jazz homage to Refused! Took me a bit of scrolling to see it was your work. Now I know you do all of the animations too, fantastic!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Haha, maybe next time I'll mention what I did and didn't make, but yeah the animations were all me. I'm glad you enjoyed

Thx for this video I found him thru KZread recommendations and loved his music without knowing anything abt him

Wow what an amazing video! Fascinating history. So bizarre that a bunch of youtube addicted music nerds now know his music. Really glad Marcel found my favorite tune. So beautiful.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

The dude who found the album was in the comments his name is Josh, he went to Japan and got a copy first hand from Fukui's widow, then gave it to Marcel. I sent Fukui's widow an email with this video and they referred it to a Japanese Jazz Critic who has now translated the video for Japanese audiences. So yeah this has been a wild ride I was not expecting

The video is nicely pulled together in many terms, and as much as it makes me become more attentive in my next listen to Ryo, the explanation on Japan and jazz is much appreciated! Thanks a lot!

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem glad you enjoyed

Thanks Steve, this is why I love KZread’s music recommendations.

Excellent video!

Subscribing! You have a very methodical and informative way of presenting information and i love that you post your references in the describtion. It proves that what you present is proven fact. Looking forward to more videos from you.

Great video! KZread recomended me this gem to me in the begining of last year and I fell in love w his music since then

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I've heard that a lot in the last couple of weeks, it does make think how music is this universal language no matter where your from you can get with it.

@caracol4142

6 жыл бұрын

Stevem Yees! This is something so amazing

Thank you so much. The depth of research really shows when the information you give is both relevant and concise. I loved Fukui's music since (like everyone else) I found it on youtube, as it gave me a really nostalgic and dreamy feeling. Again, thank you.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No, thank you for watching

日本語字幕ありがたいです！応援しています😘

Came here from Fukai aijo great video man

The production on this video is fucking insane. Great job dude

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks :) I just a got new computer set up so I got to go back to what I know After Effects and animation wise

This video is posted on the front page of the jazz Slowboat, the bar owned by Ryo and his wife. Congrats!

札幌で産まれ、自身多感な頃に彼の演奏をTVで視て育った者です。私も、My favorite tune のアップロードを熱望していました。勿論今は大事に聴いて居ますが、以前彼のサイン付きで、彼の親戚から頂いたCD、熱聴して大好きだったのに、若い頃に生活の為に売ってしまって居たからです。時が流れ今は、ここで日本ジャズの歴史を知る良い機会となったのも勿論ですが、彼の、魂に沁み入る名演を、世界に再発信して頂けているこの動画に、とっても感謝と共感をしています。 繰り返しますが、アップロード本当に有難う御座いました。涙が出る程嬉しいです。

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

It was my pleasure , thank you for watching and commenting

Quality video!

thannnnkkk youuuuuu, waiting for someone to make a vid about him

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

Kept ya waiting huh?

Loving these vids! I NEEEED a Casiopea video. youtube recommended me all these classic albums about a year ago and i havent looked back since.

Fantastic video. The editing made it such a visual journey. Good job!

This was amazing

Wow that was a really well made video!!!! I'd be interested in any topic as long as a video is as visually engaging as this one. U r a man of sleek style mifriend. Keep it up.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

The next video i'm making has a lot more media. Opposed to constructing it all out of pieces , however i'm going to try and still put it all together in the same visual style. I'm glad you enjoyed

Ryo is by far my favourite jazz pianist. I live in Sapporo, Japan and its amazing how much admiration the Jazz scene in Sapporo has for him. A new take on "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is played every week and its like a thank you letter to Ryo. I love it.

Great job, thank you for your research.

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

No problem I enjoy the process

Ngl, had to fight back tears at the end of the video. Thank you for making this

@Stevem

6 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to hear that you had such a strong emotional reaction from the video, it was my pleasure.

This video is perfect. I don't mean it in terms of facts checking out because i don't know more than anyone about this subject but just the writing, editing, clear narration, sound quality and mixing just right, I was fully engrossed the 11+ minutes and that's a really rare thing to experience in a KZread video. Love your channel and high quality videos, leaving this comment to appreciate and say i hope this channel gets more popular. Subscribed 👍