Ryo Okumoto

Ryo Okumoto
Ryo Okumoto onstage with Spock's Beard at BB Kings, NYC, April 2007.
Ryo Okumoto onstage with Spock's Beard at BB Kings, NYC, April 2007.
Background information
Born (1959-05-24) May 24, 1959 (age 65)
Osaka, Japan
GenresProgressive rock, experimental rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentKeyboards
Years active1978–present
Member ofSpock's Beard
Formerly ofPhil Collins, Eric Clapton, , GPS, Asia Featuring John Payne, Creation
Websitewww.ryookumoto.com

Ryo Okumoto (奥本亮; born May 24, 1959) is a Japanese rock keyboardist, best known for his work with American progressive rock band Spock's Beard.[1] He joined the band in 1996 and has been a member ever since. When singer and keyboardist Neal Morse was in the band, Ryo played Hammond organ and Mellotron on the albums. Since Morse's departure, Okumoto has played all of the band's keyboard parts. He resides in Los Angeles.

Aside from his work with Spock's Beard, Okumoto has performed and recorded with numerous other artists and groups, including GPS, , Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, and Asia featuring John Payne. For three weeks in 1998, Okumoto was a member of Eric Burdon & the New Animals, before being replaced by Martin Gerschwitz.

Okumoto was a member of Eric André's house band on season 5 of The Eric Andre Show.[2]

In 2019, Ryo joined the progressive rock supergroup cover band, ProgJect.[3]

  1. ^ "Ryo Okumoto Biography". Starpulse. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  2. ^ "Ryo Okumoto". IMDb. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "ProgJect". Retrieved April 5, 2022.