Famous Japanese saxophonists
How familiar are you with saxophone players active in Japan?
While overseas saxophonists often get most of the attention, Japan also has a wealth of outstanding musicians!
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of players—from superstars who have led the scene for many years to younger musicians who’ve been attracting attention in recent years.
We’re highlighting artists not only from the jazz and fusion worlds, but also those active in classical and pop scenes.
You might even discover the sax player who performed on one of your favorite songs.
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Famous Japanese saxophonists (ages 51–60)
Katayama Hiroaki
Hiroaki Katayama, a jazz saxophonist from Chiba Prefecture.
He began playing alto saxophone in high school and later switched to tenor saxophone.
In the late 1970s, he performed with the Seikatsu Kojō Iinkai Grand Orchestra; in the 1980s, he was active in D.U.B led by Kazutoki Umezu; and in the 1990s, he performed with Shibusashirazu.
He passed away in 2018 due to liver cancer.
Kimura Kayoko
Kayoko Kimura is a saxophonist and horn arranger who performs at a wide range of live shows, concerts, TV programs, and recording sessions.
As one of the few female studio musicians, she is active on the scene, delivering performances full of flair.
She also demonstrates her diverse talents as a composer/arranger, sound producer, event organizer, and writer.
How About This CatYoshimoto Akihiro
Akihiro Yoshimoto is a highly skilled tenor saxophone player who has also been a finalist in one of the world’s largest competitions as a composer.
He’s known for his powerful, highly convincing tone.
The video features a piece titled “How About This Cat,” which carries tricky rhythms and an intriguingly mysterious, slightly suspicious atmosphere.
Fly Me to the MoonOda Koji
Since joining the BIG HORNS BEE horn section of Kome Kome Club in 1990 under the name Norihisa Orita, he has performed as a studio musician and supporting member with artists such as B.B.
King, Char, TUBE, Yuki Koyanagi, Ken Hirai, Toshinori Yonekura, and Masayuki Suzuki.
He is also known as a wind band enthusiast, performing with various wind ensembles and providing clinic instruction.
Famous Japanese saxophonists (61–70)
They Say It’s WonderfulAkamatsu Jirō
Having been involved in saxophone performance and instruction across both classical and jazz genres, he can be considered a towering figure in the postwar saxophone world.
He is also known for launching Japan’s first specialized jazz education curriculum at the Osaka College of Music Junior College, and countless saxophonists who trained under him are now active on today’s music scene.
His superb, mature playing never fails to impress.
Super Mario BrosTakeda Kazuhiro
He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays various saxophones and the flute, and he is also active as a baritone saxophone player and arranger: Mr.
Kazuhiro Takeda.
In the video, he performs a variety of arrangements with the four-sax band “Quadra.”
Furuya Mitsuru
Mr.
Mitsuru Furutani passed away in September 2020, but up until just before his death he remained at the forefront as an active saxophone player and also as a singer.
In fact, he studied violin at a music high school and later learned clarinet, showcasing his versatility from a young age.
In addition to forming and performing with his own big bands and combos, he dedicated himself to nurturing young talent, and many artists launched their careers under his guidance.
His performances were outstanding, of course, and his MC work was also captivating—he was the very embodiment of an entertainer.