Emerson Kitamura

Emerson Kitamura is a Japanese keyboardist and producer with over three decades of activity in Japan’s indie and mainstream music scenes. Starting in the 1980s with bands like MUTE BEAT and JAGATARA, Kitamura built ties to reggae and African beat styles before launching his solo career in 2014, blending rocksteady grooves with DIY charm. His "Emer-Solo" performances—often using portable keyboards and rhythm machines—have taken him everywhere from Tokyo bookshops to international stages, including tours in Kenya, the UK, and Europe. Collaborations with artists like mmm (on tracks like "Rock Your Baby") and releases such as *遠近（おちこち）に* (2014) and *ロックンロールのはじまりは* (2016) highlight his knack for warm, genre-fluid instrumentals and reflective songwriting.

Kitamura’s solo work leans into minimal, loop-driven arrangements, nodding to dub, new wave, and early hip-hop influences. Recent releases like *船窓 / おろかな指* and *窓から / 雨の坂の足許* showcase his signature mix of laid-back organ melodies and lo-fi rhythm-box beats, while international projects like 2019’s Nairobi tour and collaborations with mmm on *CHASING GIANTS* reflect a playful, boundary-crossing approach. He’s become a fixture at events like Rising Sun Rock Festival, performing everywhere from festivals to curry shops with equal ease.