Despite his fame and success, Japanese bass guitarist Tetsuo Sakurai remains humble. After a one-hour performance at last week's Java Jazz Festival, the tired musician greeted The Jakarta Post with a smile.

Wearing jeans and a T-shirt, Sakurai looks like your everyday Joe. However, playing bass, he seems like a totally different person -- so passionate and able to draw his audience into the world of his unique compositions.

Sakurai was 13 years old when he started playing bass. Like many other famous bassists, he dabbled with other instruments before settling on bass.

"I played drums and guitar. I was very interested in hard rock. I was crazy about Grand Funk Railroad and Led Zeppelin; I tried to copy all their songs...," laughed Sakurai.

He said he didn't learn keyboard because it wasn't really part of the hard rock sound.

Growing up, Sakurai did not listen to hard rock exclusively. "I was interested in jazz when I was in high school. When I was about 16 or 17, I listened to The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and Weather Report."

He officially made the leap from hard rock to jazz in 1976 when he formed fusion-jazz group Casiopea. Issei Noro was on guitar, Minoru Mukaiya played keyboard and Takashi Sasaki, who joined the group later in 1977, was the drummer.

"Naturally, I'm interested in jazz harmony. It's a very natural thing," said Sakurai.

With Casiopea, Sakurai released dozens of albums. The band debuted in 1979, featuring trumpeter/flugelhornist Randy Brecker and saxophonist Michael Brecker as guest musicians.

"I wrote my first song when I was 21 years old, with Casiopea," he said.

In 1980, drummer Takashi was replaced by Akira Jimbo, who Sakurai worked closely with on various projects.

In 1982, Casiopea released 4x4, collaborating with members of U.S. smooth jazz group Fourplay, including guitarist Lee Ritenour, drummer Harvey Mason and bassist Nathan East; and songwriter/keyboardist Don Grusin.

The band's first overseas tour was to the United Kingdom in 1983. It has since toured Europe, South America, Australia and Southeast Asia.

After years of creative differences among the band members, Akira and Sakurai left Casiopea in 1989 and formed a new band, Jimsaku.

Casiopea recruited bassist Yoshihiro Naruse and drummer Masaaki Hiyama to replace Sakurai and Akira.

Jimsaku released 10 albums and a best-of collection. The rhythmic duo lasted nine years before calling it quits in 1998.

In 1993, Casiopea replaced Masaaki with drummer Noriaki Kurnagai and, four years later, drummer Akira returned to the band as a part-time member, recording and composing.

Two years ago, however, guitarist and band-leader Issei decided to put Casiopea on hold.

Sakurai has been working as a solo artist since 1986, when he released his debut album, Dewdrops. He released his sophomore project, 21Seiki No Tobira, 13 years later.

His third solo album, TLM20, released in 2000, was recorded live with Casiopea guitarist Issei and keyboardist Minoru. Drummer Akira also lent a hand in the project.

"My last release was in 2006. I came here two years ago and had a DVD made of my performance at the festival," he said.

Sakurai is a regular performer at Indonesia's jazz festivals. He played last year at JakJazz 2007, also held in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Sakurai said he has released at least 40 albums including his work with Casiopea, Jimsaku and his solo projects.

"I'm planning to release another solo album this year," he said.

Sakurai said he would collaborate with dozens of foreign and Japanese musicians for the project.

As a respected bassist, Sakurai has also made three instructional videos, showcasing his bass skills.

Gentle Hearts, his fourth solo album, recorded with guitarist Greg Howe and drummer Dennis Chambers, is said to be the heaviest version of Jaco Pastorius' punk jazz ever.

Jaco Pastorius was an American jazz musician and composer widely known for his brilliant skills on bass.

Sakurai has an eclectic taste in music. He has thousands of songs on his iPod, including some from rock bands Foo Fighters and New Found Glory.

"I like my music and what I like is what I've put on my 40 albums."

Sakurai refuses to be called a jazz musician. For him, jazz is free.

"I'm not only interested in jazz. I like other genres very much," he said.

Sakurai will continue to incorporate other musical elements in his jazz-based compositions.

"I haven't put everything I like in my albums yet. I want to make more," he said.

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