PYRAMID

Pyramid is a Japanese jazz fusion supergroup formed in 2005, consisting of three titans of the Japanese music scene: guitarist Yuji Toriyama, drummer Akira Jimbo (of Casiopea fame), and the late pianist Hirotaka Izumi (formerly of T-SQUARE). Their sound is a refined evolution of the 1980s Japanese fusion movement, stripping away the occasional cheese of that era in favor of a sleek, modern, and highly technical instrumental approach.

The band's identity is built on the 'triangle' of its members' distinct styles: Jimbo's complex, often electronic-augmented drumming, Toriyama's smooth-yet-biting guitar leads, and Izumi's lyrical, classically-influenced piano. Following Izumi's death in 2021, the remaining members have continued as a duo, maintaining the group's legacy of high-fidelity production and melodic fusion. They occupy a unique cultural space in Japan, bridging the gap between elite jazz circles and the broader 'city pop' revival, frequently appearing on high-end audiophile playlists and jazz-funk circuits.