ソウル、ブルース、ジャズ、R&Bなど、幅広い音楽スタイルこそが「最大の武器」となっている魔性?!のシンガー・ソング・ライター「神近まり」。
心に響く歌詞センス、初めて聞く曲ですら口ずさんでしまうメロディーメーカー。
それはまさにジャンルを飛び越えた「神近流」の音楽スタイル。
天性の資質をフルに活かした、持ち前の天然キャラで、オーディエンスをぐいぐいと自分の世界に惹き込むライブには定評がある。

 

A bewitching singer-songwriter with a diverse musical style spanning Pop, Soul, Blues, R&B, Rock, and Jazz.

Mariko Kamichika is active in a wide range of musical fields, including live performances, recording sessions, vocal coaching, and commercial vocal work. She was a monthly regular guest for 12 years on Tassy Tashiro's Twilight Avenue 767 (Friday) on Konosu FM Flower Radio, and continues to make occasional guest appearances.

Her musical career has covered Blues, Soul, Jazz, Ska Punk, Gospel, and Oldies. With her original band, she performed live twice on AFN (formerly FEN), the U.S. military radio station at Yokota Air Base. Since Japanese-language songs are rarely featured on AFN, performing her original songs and live Blues there was a remarkable achievement. She also performed several live shows at Yokota Air Base's Enlisted Club.

In 2007, she traveled to Chicago, the home of the Blues, where she jammed with local musicians and made guest appearances at the legendary Kingston Mines. She was also invited by Blues legend Eddie C. Campbell to perform at the world-famous Buddy Guy's Legends, where her performance earned enthusiastic applause and an encore from the audience.

After returning to Japan, she became the vocalist of the all-female Blues band ANGEL KONY, formed with the musicians who traveled to Chicago with her. Following the band's disbandment in 2019, she launched her solo career, performing original music while actively collaborating with a wide variety of musicians through live shows and jam sessions.

Her debut album, "Marie De Trois Personnes – Three Maries", reached No. 3 on the Pop chart and No. 4 on the Overall Music chart of the Malaysia iTunes Store in 2019. Her second album, "9 Days A Week," and the single "Morning Dew" are available on major streaming platforms.

Her mini 3rd album, "One Time," featuring five Blues covers, was recorded almost entirely live in a single take with KOTEZ (harmonica), Aika Ono (guitar), and Hiroshi Eguchi (bass). It is available exclusively through her Web Shop and at live venues.

In October 2025, she changed her artist name from Mari Kamichika to Mariko Kamichika.

Performance & Vocal Booking:
infokamichika☆gmail.com (replace ☆ with @)