The second event celebrating Ralph Heidel’s first visit to Japan.
We are pleased to present “the session,” a fully improvised live performance by three musicians with distinctly different musical backgrounds.
Berlin-based composer and musician Ralph Heidel creates music influenced by classical, jazz, and post-rock. Joining him is Tatsuhisa Yamamoto, a pioneering drummer in experimental and improvised music, known for his collaborations with a wide range of musicians in Japan and internationally. Also performing is guitarist Tatsuro Murakami, whose deep knowledge of Brazilian music informs his work across Japan’s ambient scene and beyond.
With three artists coming from diverse musical backgrounds, music will emerge and take shape in real time, unfolding at close range with the city of Shinjuku as its backdrop.
【Staff Credits】
Produced by upcoming.studio
Sound Design: Motoki Moky Tanizawa
Production Support: Asakawa Denki
Publicity Support: Haru no Ame cafe & records
Residency Support: WPÜ Shinjuku
Organised by "Ralph Heidel in Tokyo 2026"
Supported by Arts Council Tokyo (Creation Grant)
Based in Berlin, composer and multi-instrumentalist working across saxophone, flute, clarinet, piano, synthesizer, and more. Studied jazz saxophone and composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich until 2017, developing a distinctive sound that blends jazz, contemporary classical music, and electronic music.
Released the debut album Moments of Resonance in 2019, gaining international recognition. In 2025, released the latest album anyways. onto better things on the self-run label Friends with Oranges.
Active as a producer, arranger, and music director, with work extending to compositions for butoh and theatre, as well as music for visual art and installations. Also involved in production and music direction for prominent musicians and rappers in Germany.
Born in Tokyo. Guitarist and producer. Moved to Brazil after graduating from high school and became the first Japanese student to graduate from the Choro Department of the Tatuí Conservatory in São Paulo State, specializing in classical guitar.
Studied soundtrack production while in Brazil and began working as a composer. Released five albums to date through international ambient music labels. After approximately seven years in Brazil, returned to Japan and became involved in the release of Brazilian music in Japan, translation and interpretation, concert production, and other projects.
Guitarist for STONE MUSIC, a band carrying on the legacy of Taj Mahal Travellers, and Japan representative for US label Mystery Circles. Released the latest work Mita Koyama-cho on LP in 2025.
Drummer. Known for distinctive solo performances and improvisational work, with a wide range of collaborations including projects with Jim O’Rourke and Eiko Ishibashi. Has also recorded and performed extensively with artists including UA, Tavito Nanao, Ichiko Aoba, and Seiichi Yamamoto. Formerly a member of Geigai. In 2011, was invited to perform a solo piece at the Barbican Centre in London, and has since performed and recorded extensively in Japan and internationally. The solo album *ashioto*, released by Australian label Black Truffle Records, received critical acclaim, including being ranked No. 1 in MOJO Magazine’s Best Underground Record category for 2020. Active across a wide range of musical and artistic fields.
