塚本周成 Shusei Tsukamoto

塚本周成 Shusei Tsukamoto

PROFILE

Who is “Shusei Tsukamoto”?
Who is “Shusei Tsukamoto”?

One of Japan's leading musicians, he began learning the reed organ at the age of 4, later dabbling in piano, electone, and other instruments, before majoring in pipe organ at Musashino Academia Musicae. Three of Tsukamoto's students, Shusei Tsukamoto (Key), Tadashi Sugimoto (Ba), and Takashi Kawaguchi (Vn), formed the progressive rock band "Outer Limits" with Nobuyuki Fujii (Vo, Gt, Ba) and Nobuyuki Sakurai (Dr), who had been in the same high school band with Tsukamoto. They made their record debut with the album "Made in Japan" released in 1981. In the 1990s, the band stopped performing, but resumed their activities in 1998. In the 1990s, the group ceased its activities, but resumed in 1998. In 2007, they released their first album in 20 years, "STROMATOLITE".

VIENNA was formed by four very well-known figures in the Japanese prog rock scene, Chachamaru and Yukihiro Fujimura (Vo, Gt), Ryuichi Nishida (Dr), Shusei Tsukamoto (Key), and Toshimi Nagai (Ba), and was called a "prog rock super group" at the time because of the career-making members. VIENNA was also called "Progressive Super Group" at that time. They were a new leader of the prog rock movement at a time when the golden age of Japanese prog rock (1985-1986) had passed and was beginning to fade a little. Although active for less than two years (1987-1989), the music they produced was world class, and since it was composed of four master bands, NOVELA, GERARD, Outer Limits, and AFFLATUS, it was natural that the band was called "AFFLATUS. The band is naturally technical and already complete, as it is composed of the four greats, and the strong power of the instrumental parts was not present in any of the bands in the past. Even the prog-rock bands were always major-oriented, and their sharpness, worldview of music, and technique were unmistakably world-class. The songs they produced in their short career are truly a "milestone" of Japanese progressive rock, and they have been released on the "OVERTURE" album, the "Step Into..." album, and the 3rd album "Progress -last album". Their first album "OVERTURE", second album "Step Into...", and third album "Progress -last live-" are still talked about today without losing their color. In 1998, the drummer was changed to Kozo Kannuma, and the 4th album "Unknown" was released.

As an individual, he has been active as a recording and live support member of Minoru Niihara (vocals) of LOUDNESS, Toshi (vocals) of X Japan, Gackt, and others. After recording and producing radio programs for several artists, he produced theme songs, insert songs, and background music for TV animation, but he could not forget the fun of progressive rock music with strong messages and story development through music alone. Tsukamoto Music Academy, a comprehensive music education center that incorporates the basic principles of music therapy, was awarded the 6th Platinum Ageist in the "Culture and Education" category by the Platinum Age Promotion Association in 2020. Platinum Ageist" award. His other activities include theme music for TV programs, radio commercials, and music production for corporations.

1977
As a demonstrator for the musical instrument manufacturer Roland, he played synthesizers at music stores and the Nippon Budokan.
1979
Formed the progressive rock band "Outer Limits" with students from Musashino Academia Musicae.
1980
Established Tsukamoto Music Academy. Focused on music therapy for children's education.
1981
Joined Saitama Music Broadcasting Co. Ltd. and started producing music for professional use.
1986
BGM for fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto's Paris Japan Collection.
1987
Formed the progressive rock band "VIENNA". Selected as a designated support artist by Yamaha, a musical instrument manufacturer.
1988
Takes part in LOUDNESS Minoru Niihara's (Vo) solo tour. Participated in many live events such as Sendai Rock'n'Roll Olympics and Osaka Flower Expo.
1989
Toured as a supporting keyboardist for Ded Chaplin.
1991
Produced the title background music for TV programs such as TV Asahi's "Morning Show".
1992
Started Japan's first pipe organ class for the general public, which was introduced by NHK and many other media.
1994
Arranged and played keyboards for X Japan's Toshi's (Vo) 2nd album "Mission". He participated in the TV music program "Music Station" and many outdoor concerts.
1998
The French music magazine "Big Bang" published a six-page feature article on VIENNA and Shusei Tsukamoto, and VIENNA and Outer Limits reunited to resume their activities.
1999
Arranges, keyboards, and orchestrations for Gackt's singles and albums.
2002
Produced button-push sounds for a CD-recorded book reader for the visually impaired for Shinano Kenshi Co.
2006
Developed the "DENSHI Suikinkutsu," a healing sound generator incorporating his own patent-pending theory of self-operated musical composition.
2007
Outer Limits' album "STROMATOLITE" and VIENNA's album "Unknown" were released worldwide on the iTunes store.
2010
Piano performance at the music dedication by Mieko Tachibana at the Ise Jingu Sanshuden, click here to see the YouTube video.
2013
Arranged all songs for chanson singer Mariko Machida's new album "Last Dance is for Me".
2014
Sung her own song "Champagne" by chanson singer Momoko Iwasaki. The PV in collaboration with anime is the first attempt. click here to see the YouTube video. Sheet music for each key is also available here.
2015
Wrote lyrics, composed, and arranged 8 ending and character songs for the TV anime "Danchi" and composed and arranged the play accompaniment under the name Shusei. A CD of the same title was also released.
2016
Wrote lyrics, composed, and arranged 9 ending and insert songs for the TV anime "Ojisan to marshmallow," as well as composed and arranged the musical accompaniment under the name Shusei. A CD of the same title was also released.
2017
Shusei's Project's first solo album "Same Dreamer" was released from King Records.
2018
Participated in the solo album "Drum Paradaise" by world-renowned drummer Kozo Suganuma as a keyboardist, arranger, production contributor, and mixing engineer.
2019
Accepted as a regular member of JASRAC (Japan Music Copyright Association). Produced "Mariko Machida's Morning Chanson" on Bunka Hoso at 5:05 a.m. every Saturday morning. 2nd album "To The New World" by Shusei's Project was released.
2020
"Damn... I won't give in to Corona! and participated in the production of "Kukkoro Project! Shusei's Project was in charge of the music and insert song "Ti amo" (lyrics/composition/arrangement by Shusei, Vo/Yasue Masa, Vn/Miki Fujimoto) for the TV animation "Peter Grill and the Time of the Wise Men" in the July 2020 season. Shusei's Project received the 6th Platinum Ageist Award in the "Culture and Education" category from the Platinum Age Promotion Association. For more information, click here.
2022
Shusei composed the music and insert song "Theme of Heroines" (lyrics, music, and arrangement by Shusei; vocals by Yu Soma and Kurumi Sakamoto) for the animated TV series "Peter Grill and the Time of the Wise Men Super Extra" (October 2022) Shusei's Project's 3rd album "Works" (digitally distributed) is released.
2023
Shusei composed the music for the TV anime "Isekai One Turn Kill Sis" for the April 2023 season.