Yosuke Yamashita.is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, essayist, and writ… Read Full Bio ↴Yosuke Yamashita.is an acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, essayist, and writer from Tokyo, Japan.

He is praised by critics for his unique piano style. In 2003 he was conferred the Imperial Medal of Honor by the Japanese government for his contributions to the arts and academia.

Yosuke first began to play professionally at the age of 17 in 1959, and attended the Kunitachi College of Music from 1962 to 1967. His first printed recording was released in 1963, and he became a pioneer of avant-garde and free jazz. In 1969, Yosuke formed the Yosuke Yamashita Trio, which has been through various incarnations, each introducing and highlighting the skill of the new member. In the 1980s, Yosuke formed the "New York Trio" with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Pheeroan akLaff. In 1990, he was awarded the prestigious Fumio Nanri award. In 1994 he was invited to perform at the 50th anniversary concert of jazz label Verve, held at Carnegie Hall. Yosuke moved into film scoring in 1998, scoring the Shohei Imamura film Kanzo Sensei, and his work earned him the "Minister of Education Award," amongst others.

He has been a visiting professor of music at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Nagoya University of Arts, and his alma mater, Kunitachi College of Music, in addition to published work on improvisation and music.