Ryo Yoshimata is one of the most well-known composers in Japan now. Born in Kagoshima in 1959, Ryo started playing piano at 4 years old by following recommendation of his father. In 1977, he moved to Tokyo to enter Yokohama City University.While he was a student, Ryo worked with many disco bands as a pianist and keyboardist. He turned professional in 1982 when he became a member of the band for the award-winning singer/actress and first woman in Japan to receive the People's Honor Award, Hibari Misora (1937-1989), through audition. While Ryo worked as a keyboardist with Revolver from 1984 to 1992, he also worked as a recording musician and an arranger for all sorts of musical genres.