Yasuaki Shimizu is a maverick saxophonist, composer and producer whose almost 50-year career spans an impossibly broad range of genres. He is a well-known musical presence in Japan recognised for his crossover pop hits, film soundtrack work and a host of high-profile live commissions, installations and collaborations with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Björk, Van Dyke Parks and David Cunningham. Shimizu’s music reached a wider audience in the West following the reissue on Palto Flats of his iconic 1982 solo album Kakashi and his band Mariah’s classic 1983 record Utakata No Hibi – masterful hybrids of Japanese folk and pop idioms filtered via a honed electronic/disco production aesthetic that make them sound fresher than ever today. Shimizu embarked on his first North American tour in 2025, selling out every show. The electrifying performances generated immense excitement and critical acclaim, demonstrating his ever-evolving artistry.
Matti Nives dj set, ODDFest, Helsinki (FI) 13.6.2026
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