Rie Furuse

Rié FURUSE (古瀬里恵, FURUSE Rié, born February 7, 1982 in Kumamoto) is a Japanese vocalist. Rie graduated from Dokkyo University in March 2004.

Rié grew up in Kumamoto, Japan. When she was very young, her parents enrolled her in music lessons at the early age of three. Whilst studying for a degree in French Literature at Dokkyo University in Tokyo, she discovered jazz and was immediately hooked by the music, so she decided to sing after school in several jazz clubs in Tokyo. After she interpreted songs of Ella Fitzgerald, she also became interested in French songs (Charles Trenet, Charles Aznavour, Dalida, etc.).

To this end she proceeded to have vocal training under the tutelage of Diva Gray (former member of the group Chic (band) who shared her musical experience and taught her to sing with dedication. During this period, American music (Pop, Gospel and Funk) permeated her, which helped her to create her own musical style. So she decided to embark on an international career that enabled her to perform abroad at her early age. At 25 years old, she flew to Hawaii, where she received a warm welcome including various media which featured her. Then two years later, she toured in Singapore (2009) and then in Vietnam.

She has sung with world-class musicians such as the renowned vocalist Janis Siegel from Manhattan Transfer, Philip Woo(pf), Tommy Campbell(ds), Patience Higgins(sax,fl), Kei Shibata(pf), Hiroshi Tanaka(pf), Abe Lagrimas Jr.(ukulele, ds) and Pierre-Louis CAS(sax) to name just a few.

In 2010, during the festival of 48 Hour Film Project Awards in Ho Chi Minh, Rié received “The Best Music Award” for one of her songs “The One” (Rié FURUSE - Chris Mosdell) which was featured as the soundtrack for the movie “Postcards from Heaven”.

It was at this time that she decided to move to Paris. As a result of such varied inspirations, she created her own style, a mix of Contemporary Jazz, Fusion, Funk and Jazz-Pop. Listening to her music, the audience recognizes the influence of Roberta Flack, Eva Cassidy, and Lalah Hathaway.

In her newly adopted country, Rié composes her songs inspired by Parisian life and continues to perform concerts and tours abroad.