Ryuichi Yoshida
Ryuichi Yoshida | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 吉田 隆一 |
| Born | September 16, 1971 Tokyo, Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, SF writer |
| Instruments | Baritone saxophone, flute |
| Website | Official site |
Ryuichi Yoshida (吉田 隆一), born September 16, 1971) is a Japanese baritone saxophonist, composer, and science fiction writer. Known for his bold and wide-ranging performances, Yoshida has been active in Japan’s free jazz and avant-garde scenes since the 1990s.
Career
Yoshida began playing the baritone saxophone in junior high school, and started performing live at the age of 19. While studying at university, he participated in classical and swing big bands, and also began performing solo unaccompanied baritone saxophone, which would become a central focus of his musical activities.
In the early 1990s, Yoshida became active in Tokyo’s improvisational music scene, joining projects such as Mikaramu (led by Shunji Murakami), and forming the Ryuichi Yoshida Quartet. From 2000 to 2006, he was a member of Tokyo Chutei-iki, an ensemble composed entirely of baritone saxophonists.
He has performed with leading musicians including Satoko Fujii, Otomo Yoshihide, Terumasa Hino, Aki Takase, and Yasuhiro Yoshigaki. Notable groups include Shibusashirazu Orchestra, GATOS Meeting (led by Eiichi Hayashi), blacksheep (with Dairo Suga and Hiroyuki Ishikawa), and the Fumio Itabashi Orchestra.
Yoshida frequently collaborates in duo settings with musicians such as Mikio Ishida, Yoshihito Eto, Fumi Endo, Shikou Ito, Hitomi Nishiyama, and Misaki Hondo. In 2015, he collaborated with composer Takashi Niigaki on a duo project that included interpretations of works by George Gershwin and Toru Takemitsu. The release was described as "wild and unrestrained" by music publication Mikiki.[1]
In July 2017, Yoshida performed as a baritone saxophonist with the ensemble MoGoToYoYo, led by drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki, at the Aarhus Jazz Festival in Denmark. Yoshida is listed among the five official band members.[2]
In 2023, he released his solo album SAKAI on the label doubt music, recorded live in Nagano Prefecture and featuring unaccompanied baritone saxophone improvisations.[3]
Yoshida appeared at the Tokyo International Baritone Saxophone Festival 2025, where he gave a solo performance and led a workshop on extended techniques.[4]
Personal life and affiliations
Yoshida describes himself as an "SF musician" and is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ). He has served as a board member and chaired the organizing committee of the Japan SF Grand Prize.[5]
References
- ↑ "A wild collaboration between Takashi Niigaki and baritone saxophone maverick Ryuichi Yoshida". Mikiki (in 日本語). 2015-06-12. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "MoGoToYoYo (JP) – Aarhus Jazz Festival 2017". Aarhus Jazz Festival archive (in dansk). Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Ryuichi Yoshida releases solo baritone saxophone album "SAKAI"". CDJournal (in 日本語). 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Tokyo International Baritone Saxophone Festival 2025". Arts Council Tokyo. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ↑ "The Ground of the Improviser Vol.19: Ryuichi Yoshida". JazzTokyo (in 日本語). 2024-05-04. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
External links
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