It's Saturday Nite Live
Taku Yasumi & Asako Oshida
YASUMI, Taku (Pianist/Composer/Arranger) started playing jazz piano while studying at the University of Minnesota, where he had the good fortune to play with the likes of Curtis Fuller and some of the Woody Herman band's members. Returning to everyday work life in Japan, Taku was led back to music 20 years later when given the opportunity to perform with a Yamaha School Big Band, where he also first met vocalist Asako Oshida. He balanced his love of jazz with a full-time day job promoting international education exchange through the Fulbright Program until his retirement last year. First invited to perform at Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2014, Taku has become an FCCJ regular favorite playing quite a few times since then. He also proactively volunteers to perform at various social welfare facilities such as nursing homes throughout Japan.
OSHIDA, Asako (Vocalist/Aromatherapist) started her vocal career as a gospel singer 20 years ago, in addition to her daily engagement in promoting and teaching aromatic life for anti-aging, by using the special techniques of oriental medicine. A very talented vocalist, Asako has a natural and beautiful voice. Asako has been actively singing at various occasions such as the Yamaha Gospel Concert at Tokyo International Forum and for her own concerts in Tokyo. Wishing to support people to maintain health and quality of life, Asako jointly volunteers to sing with Taku at nursing homes as a charity.
A promising jazz bassist in Japan, Daisuke Toi, fills out the group.
And remember, it's free. No cover charge. No music charge. You just can't beat SNL for an exciting, entertaining night out in Tokyo.
The Entertainment Committee
Coming Up!
October 17 Michael Fogarty & Koji Tetsui
October 24 The Jim Butler Group
October 31 Sam Ishihara & The Stonefields