AKIRA SAKATA SOLO

Clarinetist, percussionist and vocalist Akira Sakata performs a disturbing rendering of "The Tale of the Heike," an epic account of the 12th century struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan.

Akira Sakata was born in Kure-city, Hiroshima in 1945. Studied marine biology at Hiroshima University. Formed a group Saibo-bunretsu (Cell fission) in Tokyo in 1969, and was also performing with various free-jazz musicians during this time. Since the late 1960s, Sakata has been a constant figure in jazz and creative music scenes as an ever evolving and adventurous, multi-instrumentalist, and member of classic groups such as Yamashita Yosuke Trio, from 1972 till 1979, and Wha-ha-ha plus many of his own, like the Sakata Akira mii. Apart from collaborating with numerous Japanese musicians, he regularly works with well-known European and American musicians such as Peter Brötzmann, Jim O'Rourke, DJ Krush, Last Exit. Bill Laswell — bassist of Last Exit — produced Sakata's albums Mooko, Silent Plankton and Fisherman's.com, the last of which also featured the reclusive Pete Cosey on guitar.

Personnel: Akira Sakata (JP) – alto saxophone, clarinet, voice; | Latest Release: "The Tale of the Heike" Vinyl 2 LPs, May 2016 | Label: Trost Records | Touring In: Europe | VIDEO | PRESS | BOOKING ENQUIRY