FUSION jazz has always been known as the opposing force to jazz itself; the genre often offers more spice and excitement to the music rather than jazz alone.

Often referred to simply as “fusion”, it started in the 1960s as a fusion of mainstream genres such as rock, funk and R&B with the improvisational style of jazz. It was popularised by world-renowned artistes like Pat Metheny, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Jaco Pastorius’ Weather Report – all immensely talented musicians who found even the conventions of traditional jazz music limiting.

Unfortunately, the popularity of fusion jazz has dwindled in recent decades, and most young people wouldn’t even know fusion if it was blasting on their iPod speakers.

This is exactly what young fusion band Tokyo Blue hopes to change in Malaysia.

Locally, the likes of music veterans Akasha and Andy Peterson Inc (API) have been holding the fort for the genre, but with their edgy looks and image, Tokyo Blue might just be able to help stir younger audiences’ interest in fusion jazz.

The trio, formed during the beginning of last year, consists of bassist Hiroaki Maekawa, 23, pianist Ywenna Lim, 25, and drummer Joshua Maran, 23. Hiroaki and Joshua are students at the International College of Music (ICOM) inKuala Lumpur.

As a trio, the group itself is already “fusion”. Hiroaki is Japanese, Ywenna is Indonesian-Chinese and Joshua is Malaysian. “We are not focused on only one genre, but also on others like salsa, progressive jazz, Latin, rock and more,” said Hiroaki.

Citing influences by composer Hiromi Uehara, Hiroaki explained the group’s decision to be an instrumental band. “Being an instrumental band really opens up the doors to all the different genres out there, some waiting to be explored and be experimented”.

Tokyo Blue’s credentials include playing at various entertainment outlets and other jazz festival avenues. All three of them are no strangers to the local music scene as they have their own bands, or have played for musicians like Juwita Suwito, Liang and more.

Local fusion jazz trio, Tokyo Blue. From left to right: Joshua Maran, Ywenna Lim and Hiroaki Maekawa.

The trio will be playing in the Penang Jazz Fest at the end of this year as well. On top of all that, Tokyo Blue’s album, The Naked Soul, will be released next week.

“We call our album The Naked Soul because it is our raw expression of music. Our music is transparent and clear, and it goes on to our album cover design as well, with simple colours and shapes,” Joshua said.

The album took five months to produce. During the recording process, the band had to put in extra practice sessions, as they wanted to record all their songs live, something almost unheard of in the current Auto-Tune-dominated music industry.

“We recorded our tracks in our album live as it is, where we are baring it all to the very essence of our music,” Hiroaki added. The trio’s long term plans include playing at more acclaimed, international jazz scenes as well as some collaboration with local artistes or bands.

It is not an easy thing to juggle playing in their band with the other things in life. “We just have to make time for it,” said Joshua.

Hiroaki added: “What made it easier for us is the fact that we are all professional musicians and we are able to put together scores and pieces for the songs before we meet up for practice, and that saves us a lot of time.”

But apart from the dreams and aspirations of making it big someday, the trio is happy with things as they are.

“Being accepted is already good for us. We are already satisfied with our efforts, and of being able to get our album out to be heard,” said Ywenna.

The trio, however, credited YouTube, MySpace and Facebook for facilitating their networking, and serving as a platform for others to check out their music. “It really saves us a lot of time to get ourselves heard by others out there,” said Ywenna.

However, Tokyo Blue’s aim above all, is to be different from the rest.

“Our music will continue to change and evolve. Tokyo Blue’s unique style is in our trio set, and this is what separates us from the others,” Hiroaki noted.

Ywenna said: “Young people these days are listening to the other, more popular genres out there, and we are offering them something different with Tokyo Blue.”

With such determination and passion from the trio, we are sure that their music will reach the masses and get them to groove and move to their music.