Artist description With her hotpink electric violin and deconstructed kimonos combined with haunting gypsy melodies and urban beats Ritsu redefines an old instrument's role in the modern world. By weaving a tapestry of eclectic elements from Classical, Blues, Japanese, Gypsy and Metal, Ritsu spans several genres and defies classification. Buddhist chants flow in powerchords and dissolve into beautiful melodies. Hers is a world of stark contrasts,passion and shock. While entranced the listener will never be allowed to relax.

Music Style electronic gypsy, with blues, metal, jazz, traditional Japan, and classical all mixed together.

Musical Influences Jimi Hendrix, Nicolo Paganini, Led Zeppelin, Coltrane

Artist History As a child, I performed as soloist with various orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra. I also perfomed solo recitals at places like the Smithsonian Institute and Carnegie Recital Hall. Professionally, I played in freelance groups including the Philly Pops, National Orchestral Association of New York, and the Philadelphia Pro Musica. 6 years ago, I debuted as a lead for a rock band at the Seattle Opera House in a tribute concert to Jimi Hendrix. I have since been creating original music that integrates my classical background with other sources of inspiration, like street noises and popular culture. I have performed this music in Portland, Seattle, New York, Philadelphia, and Tokyo. In 1998, I won a grant that allowed me to produce 2 cds of my original music.Currently, I am writing and performing in Ithaca, NY. Most recently, I performed at Cornell University with digital music pioneer David Borden and african musician Samite. This Spring, I am planning on producing a performance in virtual reality, in which I will play duets with virtual musicians in a 3D, virtual theatre that is fully interactive on the wide world web.

Instruments electric violin, bass, drums, keyboards

Albums JUNGLE, HELL

Press Reviews PLAZM: "Ritsu F**king Rocks!"DEMOUNIVERSE: Ritsu Katsumata approaches her hot pink electric violin the way Jimmy Page approaches the guitar, merging disparate musical styles -- classical, blues, gypsy, metal, and her native Japan -- with equal doses of aggression and mysticism. Recorded in NYC with an impressive rhythm section (fleet-fingered bassist Gbatokai Dakinah and the phenomenal Flemming Rothaus on skins), Jungle has a taut, downtown-funky-artsy feel, akin to things you may have heard by John Zorn, Soul Coughing or Bill Laswell...

Location Ithaca, NY - USA

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