This resurgence in Fukui's work has cultivated a large audience of collectors seeking the vinyl releases of his work. Fukui's music has made its way into popular internet culture, as much of his work has been uploaded onto popular streaming platforms such as YouTube and Apple Music. Japanese jazz experienced a resurgence in popularity in the late 2010s, with Fukui and especially his album Scenery being at the forefront of renewed interest. Fukui's longtime friend Barry Harris has since been seen playing his song "Fukai Aijo" (深い愛情) and dedicating his performance to Fukui.
After his death, his widow Yasuko Fukui took over the Slowboat jazz club, running its day-to-day operations. Fukui's final album, A Letter From Slowboat, was released in 2015-recorded live during his time at the Slowboat jazz club.įukui died on March 15, 2016, of lymphoma. He would also go on to offer lessons and workshops to pass on his knowledge of music to others. In 1995 Fukui went on to open the Slowboat jazz club which attracted many local jazz players as well as international. This album was followed by In New York four years later, in trio with the drummer Leroy Williams and the bassist Lisle Arthur Atkinson. In 1994, a third album, My Favourite Tune, was recorded and released featuring Fukui on solo piano playing several original works as well as renditions of songs such as "My Conception" by Sonny Clark and "After Hours" by Avery Parrish. The two went on to become close friends, with Harris becoming a mentor figure to Fukui and helping him develop his technique in bebop. In 1992, during his visit to America, Fukui met Barry Harris, an American jazz pianist from Detroit. Fukui also began to perform overseas in France and America as well as beginning to teach jazz piano to students internationally. The trio would often play at the Shinjuku Pit Inn, Kichijōji "Sometime" jazz club and the "Jazz Inn Lovely" in Nagoya. He continued improving his skills over the following years in live performance, often appearing in a trio including Satoshi Denpo, Yoshinori Fukui (Ryo's brother), and himself. Six years after moving to Tokyo, in 1976, Fukui released his first album, Scenery, and his second album, Mellow Dream, the year after. Nonetheless, Fukui was often disheartened, feeling as though he was not making significant improvement in his playing. Fukui met occasionally with saxophonist Hidehiko Matsumoto who offered valuable encouragement and guidance to the aspiring pianist. At the age of 22, he began to teach himself piano and soon moved to Tokyo. His work has seen a spike in popularity after his death, with several reissues of his albums.Įarly life and career 1966–1980s įukui began his life in music by learning the accordion at age 18. Fukui taught and performed internationally until his death in 2016.
He played regularly at the "Slowboat" jazz club in Sapporo, which he and his wife Yasuko owned. Ryo Fukui ( 福居良, Fukui Ryō, June 1, 1948 – March 15, 2016) was a Japanese jazz pianist based in Sapporo.
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