Soprano Saxophonist, Composer, Music Producer

Kosei Yamamoto is an artist who has continued to be grounded his own unique style. Never limiting himself to any specific genre, his music creates a world which projects a brilliant light filled with an abundance of joy to all who are exposed to it. Since his debut in 1968, he has remained active in a myriad of scenes as a pioneer of improvisational music.

Among his many projects, he has produced music for films such as Kazuyuki Izutsu's Gaki Teikoku and Shion Sono's The Room (which was shown in the Berlin International Film Festival). He is also well known for his work with butoh dancers, including Irok Kim from Korea, Toru Iwashita of Sankaijuku, the theatre group Gekidan Nihon Ishin-ha, the physical theatre group composed of physically challenged performers Gekidan Taihen, Akaji Maro's Dairakudakan production of "Ugetsu", and Mushimaru Fujieda among others.

Yamamoto has also worked with a large number of musicians from a diversity of genres, including Danny Davis (Sun Ra Orchestra), John Zorn, Ned Rothenburg, Derek Bailey, Tom Cora, Zeena Parkins, Alyrio Lima (Weather Report), Joseph Jarman, John Russell, Dave Goodman (Sex Pistols producer) Motoharu Yoshizawa, Wong Wing Tsan, Yoshisaburo Toyozumi, Yuji Takahashi, Kyoichi Kita, Minotaro Yoshida (bunraku), Seitaro Kuroda, Takaaki Yoshimoto, Haruomi Hosono, Gouzo Yoshimasa, Yoshihiro Hanno, Kyokusei Katayama.

Although his work centers on the soprano saxophone, Yamamoto is also a talented flute player, and performs on a variety of flutes from around the world. He also plays an assortment of acoustic instruments and even uses sampler machines in his pursuit to transcend the possibilities of musical expression. He is involved in numerous projects, including Symbiosis with biwa (Japanese lute) player Kyokusei Katayama, the acoustic jam band Tasmania, Wind Travelin' Band which first performed over a decade ago, and a duo with pianist Wong Wing Tsan. In 1999 he established his own record label "Pulse' jet Label".

Yamamoto has released 4 solo albums internationally on the German IC/digit music label (established by Tangerine Dream's Claus Schultze). In 2001 he began organizing the Peace Music Friendship "Dream Catcher" music festival, and in 2002 took part in the Glastonbury Festival with this group. He continues to remain actively involved in an assortment of performances, tantalizing eardrums with his child-like playfulness and deep, matured technique.