Guitarist Singer Composer

Saiichi Sugiyama, born in Asakusa, Tokyo, is a British-based guitarist, composer and singer, best known for his writing, production and performing collaborations with Pete Brown, the lyricist for Cream, since 2002 to date.

Sugiyama released his eponymous first album in 1994 backed by Phil Williams and Mike Caswell of Walk on Fire, Andy Smith of Hot chocolate, Cutting Crew’s rhythm section and Zoot Money. Playing on the London blues club circuit, Sugiyama’s on stage bands in 1990s at various times featured Boz Burrell of Bad Company, John Cook of Rory Gallagher Band, Sam Kelly and the guitarist Paul Wassif. The album received airplay by Paul Jones and Sugiyama supported Eric Bell, appeared on Live TV and jammed with Otis Grand and members of Jeff Healey Band at Roadhouse in Covent Garden.

In July 2016, Sugiyama with the producer Mune Sugiyama released a single Melting Away, which was a collaboration with Andy Fraser, the former Free bassist. The track was written by Sugiyama and featured Rietta Austin on vocals, Mune Sugiyama on the drums and Fraser on the bass. The release became one of the last recordings by Andy Fraser. The video of Melting Away became a track of the week on Classic Rock website and Sugiyama was invited to perform at Annual Free Convention in Newcastle in 2016.