A conversation with Shinpei Ruike

Shinpei Ruike was born in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He discovered the trumpet in a brass band when he was ten years old. When he was a high school student, he touched the music of Miles Davis and opened his eyes to jazz. After graduating from high school, he played the trumpet for six years in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band.

The regular band of trumpeter Shinpei Ruike, who has an overwhelming presence with his well-honed tone and unique phrasing, makes its first appearance at Oh! Jazz. This conceptual one-horn quartet, formed in 2006 as his self-produced band, continues with almost the same members as before. The band's originality is evident on stage, where they incorporate edgy and diverse musical elements from the styles of the Electric Miles era to rock, R&B, avant-garde, and more.

The composition of the music, which is mostly his own original numbers, is also very rewarding to listen to. His artistic sound, which is based on his deep pursuit of self-identity and his powerful performance create a must-see show. You can enjoy it on Oh! Jazz, of course.

And here is the conversation we held with him before his most recent performance at the iconic Body&Soul in Tokyo.

類家心平との対談

青森県八戸市生まれ。10歳のとき吹奏楽部でトランペットに出会う。高校時代にマイルス・デイヴィスの音楽に触れ、ジャズに開眼。高校卒業後、海上自衛隊音楽隊で6年間トランペットを吹く。

研ぎ澄まされた音色と独特のフレージングで圧倒的な存在感を放つトランペッター、類家心平のレギュラーバンドがオー！ジャズに初登場。2006年にセルフ・プロデュース・バンドとして結成されたコンセプチュアルなワンホーン・カルテットは、ほぼそのままのメンバーで継続。エレクトリック・マイルス時代のスタイルからロック、R&B、アヴァンギャルドなど、エッジの効いた多彩な音楽要素を取り入れたステージで、そのオリジナリティを発揮する。

自身のオリジナル・ナンバーを中心とした作曲も聴き応えがある。自己のアイデンティティを深く追求したアーティスティックなサウンドと、パワフルなパフォーマンスが織り成すライヴは必見だ。もちろんOh！Jazzでも楽しめます。

そして、東京を代表するBody&Soulでの直近の公演前に行った彼との対談はこちら。