Yosuke Yamashita

One of the best gigs Time Out has seen this year found veteran free jazz saxophonist Akira Sakata sharing a stage with the likes of Jim O'Rourke, Chris Corsano and an old friend: Yosuke Yamashita. A key figures in the post-'60s Japanese jazz scene, the 69-year-old pianist is renowned for the physicality of his performances, and has also demonstrated a Keith Jarrett-like ability to keep one foot in the world of classical music. If you've never seen him before, these two dates at the intimate Pit Inn should provide an ideal introduction. The first is billed as 'Yosuke Yamashita Solo & More', with support from saxophonist Yuya Yoneda, percussionist Hiroshi Kumamoto and violinist Keishuke Ohta; for the second, Yamashita plays in his New Quartet with Yoneda, bassist Akira Yanagihara and drummer Takumi Ogasawara.