Otakon 2023 has announced that Japanese bass player Ryū Kawamura will be a guest at its upcoming convention. With over two decades of experience in the music industry, Kawamura has established himself as a sought-after bass player, known for his versatility and technical proficiency in various genres, including jazz, video games, and pop.

Kawamura has worked on Square Enix’s Jazz series, the NieR:Automata Arranged & Unreleased Tracks, as well as composing for a wide variety of ads, games, anime, and dramas.

Not being confined to jazz, Ryu has shared his talents across the musical spectrum. This includes supporting artists such as ZUTOMAYO, Junko Iwao, Shoko Nakagawa, and Saori Yuki.

On the production side, he has worked extensively with composer Kōhei Tanaka. This includes work as bandleader and accompanist for Kohei’s various anime and video game scores (in studio, and on stage). As a composer and arranger, he also teamed up with Kohei to produce music for the Onihei anime.

Kawamura has earned international acclaim, having worked and performed with a venerable Who’s Who in the jazz world. This includes performing with Duško Gojković (a leading European quartet), touring and recording with Joe LaBarbera (the last drummer of the Bill Evans Trio), duo public performances with Mike Starn, Bill Mays, John di Martino, and also participating in the Blue Note All Stars Jazz Orchestra.

For his work on the NHK drama Yakeni Ben no Tatsu Bengoshi ga Gakko de Hoeru (starring Ryunosuke Kamiki), he won both much praise, as well as the The Galaxy Award’s monthly prize.

Otakon will be held from July 28-30, 2023 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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