Tatsu Aoki

[Marc Decho]

Anybody familiar with this cats muzak?....he's a japaneese free-jazz/straight ahead jazz/experimental bassist/composer on Southport Records...I got turned on to him recently and have only heard a bit of his stuff....I listened to this program of improvised contrabass with electronic processing (not too much) and poetry...it was deemed "edgy-gothic circus" which fits the description perfectly .... some very intense moments....he's got a very interesting catalogue of recordings of varying styles...(Ron Surace, Ron Anderson, Elijah Levy (Ink Spots fame).....one in particular i'm gonna go check out is called "2x4" which is a disc of improvised duets with fellow contrabassist Malachi Favors (Art Ensemble of Chicago)

[Sam Sherry]

Tatsu has a new duo record coming out very shortly on Southport with the very gifted Tim Odell on alto and soprano sax. I can't wait to hear it.

[ee-san]

I heard Aoki last year in Washington DC at the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery auditorium during the cherry blossum festival. The museum and the city invite a variety of Japanese performers, artists, and artisans to DC at that time. Aoki's performance was beautiful with a mix of musical influences from around the world. All of the ensemble players were great too. I can't quote you any of the pieces, however, since the program is buried under a bunch of papers somewhere. Aoki lives and works in Chicago these days.

[Sam Sherry]

There's a nice interview with Mr. Aoki at JazzWeekly.com. Click on the microphone and look under -- wait for it -- "A"

[jmpiwonka]

he is on some fred anderson recordings too and i really like his playing, there are tons of great chicago musicians, tortoise, jeff parker, rob mazurek, chad taylor..........

[hdiddy]

Back before I played bass, I met Tatsu at one of the last San Francisco Asian Jazz Fests a few years ago. Really nice guy and totally approachable. Apparently he's a Professor and teaches Film at a major University in Chicago and plays bass on the side. From what I remember I liked his playing but I definitely need to get more of his stuff.

[Matt Ides]

I really like his work with Fred Anderson and leading the Miyumi project. Also great duo album 2X4 w/ Malachi Favors Maghostut.

Website is here.

Here teaches film at the Art Institute of Chicago.