Katsu of Tokyo has devoted his Stick discipline and artistry to the
rich tradition of jazz guitar. Hearing him play clean, unadorned jazz
melody lines accompanied by guitar styled chords and vamps, one is
struck with the interwoven intimacy of both elements - a jazz
guitarist's dream.
He tunes both string groups in fourths in guitar registers, tapping harmonically extended jazz lines with his right hand, and complex guitar type chords and inner moving lines with his left. His string action is so low and his touch so light that the overall sustain of his Stick is noticeably enhanced. And the sound recording is excellent, recalling the subdued darker tones of a hollow-body electric guitar, but with just enough of the very high "acoustic" frequencies to bring out the tapping transients.
He plays standards and thoughtful ballads that are more known among inner circles of jazz musicians, including a great arrangement of "Bluesette" in 4/4 and 6/8. The styling of the opening song "Woody" with its arpeggiated inner chords, is reminiscent of George Van Eps.