{{Infobox musical artist | name = Yasuaki Shimizu | origin = [[Japan]] | image = Yasuaki_Shimizu.jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1954|8|9}} | birth_place = [[Shimada, Shizuoka]], Japan | instrument = [[Tenor saxophone]] | genre = [[Jazz]], [[classical music|classical]] | occupation = [[Composer]], [[saxophonist]], [[Record producer|producer]] | years_active = 1970s–present | label = [[Victor Entertainment]] | past_member_of = [[Saxophonettes]], [[Mariah (band)|Mariah]] | website = {{url|www.yasuaki-shimizu.com/}} }}
{{nihongo|'''Yasuaki Shimizu'''|清水靖晃|Shimizu Yasuaki}} (born 9 August 1954) is a Japanese composer, saxophonist and producer. He is known for his interpretations of the music of [[J.S. Bach]], in particular the "[[Cello Suites (Bach)|Cello Suites 1-6]]" re-arranged for and performed on [[tenor saxophone]].
Since 1981 he has composed, produced or arranged for artists as diverse as jazz vocalist [[Helen Merrill]], composer [[Ryuichi Sakamoto]], and DJ [[Towa Tei]]. During this time he has lived in London, Paris and Tokyo.
==Life and career==
===Early career=== Shimizu’s career as a saxophone player took off in the 1970s. He released his first solo album, ''Get You'', in 1978 and from 1980 won a following with his experimental rock band Mariah,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sudo.3.pro.tok2.com/Quest/cards/M/Mariah/index.html |title=MARIAH |publisher=Sudo.3.pro.tok2.com |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2018-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218171504/http://sudo.3.pro.tok2.com/Quest/cards/M/Mariah/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> with whom he released five albums.
Mariah’s final recording ''Utakata no Hibi'' (1983) weaved traditional Japanese festival rhythms with rock tempos and sounds. Over the same period Shimizu recorded solo albums including ''IQ 179'' (1981) and ''[[Kakashi (album)|Kakashi]]'' (1982), which built on the alternative-music foundations set down by Mariah.
From these beginnings Shimizu’s delight in pushing boundaries is apparent in such projects as the satellite link-up performance of ''Bye Bye Kipling'' with [[Ryuichi Sakamoto]] for a [[Nam June Paik]] happening (1986), or his enigmatic, solo “live installation” as a ''Human Cuckoo Clock'' in [[Tokyo]] (2002).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dk.net/exhibition/e_taj.html |title=Tokyo International Forum 5th Anniversary TOKYO ART JUNGLE |publisher=2dk.net |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195944/http://www.2dk.net/exhibition/e_taj.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===The Saxophonettes I=== In 1983, he created the Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes project—initially a one-man band—which has since become the main focus of his recording activities. His first recording as the Saxophonettes was ''L'Automne à Pékin'' (1983), a tribute to the [[Golden Age of Hollywood]]: classic soundtrack-flavored tunes rendered with a combination of lush yet minimal orchestration and layered electronic sounds laid over reggae bass and drums.
This was followed by ''Stardust'' (1985), ''Latin'' (1991) and ''Time and Again'' (1993); the latter revisiting the textures of ''L'Automne à Pékin'' with original compositions highlighting Shimizu’s orchestral arrangements and his tenor saxophone.
The Saxophonettes project released Shimizu’s landmark ''Cello Suites'' albums in 1996 (nos 1-3) and 1999 (nos 4-6). These were reissued in 2007 as a two-disc set (nos 1-6).
===Europe=== From 1985 through 1991 Shimizu divided his time between [[Paris]] and [[London]], making his contribution to the multicultural and re-energized European music scene by recording, collaborating and performing with various international artists. His experiences over this period also gave him an altogether new perspective on his own musical roots.
He made three albums: ''Subliminal'' (1987) with French producer [[Martin Meissonnier]], ''Dementos'' (1988) with various British artists including ex-[[Flying Lizards]] [[David Cunningham (musician)|David Cunningham]], and ''Aduna'' (1989) with Senegalese vocalist [[Wasis Diop]], whose 1994 album ''No Sant'' Shimizu co-produced.
===Bach recordings=== Shimizu has always paid meticulous attention to recording and studio techniques.
In 1997 his mini-album ''Bach Box'' won the Best Production prize at the 39th annual [[Japan Record Awards]].<ref>[http://www.jacompa.or.jp/rekishi/s1959.htm ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219170108/http://www.jacompa.or.jp/rekishi/s1959.htm |date=February 19, 2010 }}</ref> This recording, while expressing the highest respect for the baroque master, revisited Bach’s music with an audacious approach to form and flashes of wit, interweaving the original musical structures with treated voices and intermittent [[sine wave]] signals.
On his ''Cello Suites'' projects Shimizu utilized unconventional acoustic environments, which he selected for their high degree of reverberation—an underground quarry, a mine in Japan, a palazzo in Italy—in order to “play the space” as a resonating instrument.
This approach is also reflected in his "Bach-Saxophone-Space" concert series performed at such locations as [[Kodaiji Temple]] in [[Kyoto]] in 1996 (Osaka Shinbun 6 Dec 1996), the Niitsu, Genichiro-Inokuma and [[Art Tower Mito|Mito]] art museums between 2000 and 2003, and an underground car park in [[Shibuya, Tokyo|Shibuya]] (Mainichi Daily Sept 1997), Tokyo (1997).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simonjames.com/sitespecific.html |title=Concert installation |publisher=Simon James |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313050256/http://www.simonjames.com/sitespecific.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===The Saxophonettes II=== In 2006, Shimizu made his playful one-man-band concept of the Saxophonettes into a real-life quintet, featuring Ryoko Egawa, Hirokazu Hayashida, Ryota Higashi and Hiroshi Suzuki in an ensemble of three [[tenor saxophone|tenor]] and two [[baritone saxophone]]s.
Their album ''Pentatonica'' (2007) transcends genre limitations in a recording based on the five-note [[pentatonic scale]]. Featuring new compositions as well as arrangements of [[Ethiopia]]n traditional music, it displays Shimizu's individuality: from his choice of recording locations and painstaking approach to sound production, to the immediacy of live performance conveyed through the interplay between musicians.
Beyond recording, the group has performed extensively in Japan as well as in [[Moscow]], [[Havana]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cubaabsolutely.com/events/whats_on_month_nov_09.php |title=What's On Havana, listings and reviews of cultural events in Havana, updated monthly, Havana events and schedules and timetables for nightlife and cultural events |publisher=Cubaabsolutely.com |date=2010-01-15 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref> and [[Hong Kong]], with other tours in the works.
At a performance in Tokyo (2010) commissioned by Sumida Triphony Hall, Shimizu reaffirmed his passion for [[J.S.Bach|Bach]] by premiering the world’s first saxophone/contrabass arrangement of Bach's ''[[Goldberg Variations]]'', adding four contrabasses to his saxophone quintet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/print/fm20100219a1.html |title=Shimizu takes sax to Bach's 'Goldberg' | The Japan Times Online |publisher=Search.japantimes.co.jp |date=2010-02-19 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref> He went on to hone the arrangement for release as the album ''Goldberg Variations'' in 2015.
===Film and TV=== Shimizu with his band Mariah had composed soundtracks for the anime series [[The New Adventures of Gigantor]] in 1980/1981. He created music for [[Juliet Berto|Juliet Berto's]] ''Havre'' (1985),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinebaseinternational.com/realisateursenJ/Juliet-Berto.htm |title=Juliet Berto |publisher=Cinebaseinternational.com |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref> Oscar-winner [[Yōjirō Takita]]’s ''We Are Not Alone'' (1993),<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106456/ Bokura wa minna ikiteiru (1993) - IMDb<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> three films by [[Mitsuo Yanagimachi]] including most recently ''Who's Camus Anyway?'' (2006), and contributed a piece to [[Peter Greenaway|Peter Greenaway's]] ''Pillow Book'' (1996). He also wrote the score for the Oscar-nominated and award-winning documentary [[Cutie and the Boxer]] (2013) by [[Zachary Heinzerling]].
He has composed soundtracks for [[Hiroyuki Nakano|Hiroyuki Nakano’s]] art video ''Issey Miyake Dancing Pleats'' (1993), the feature film ''Stereo Future'' (2000) and in 2008 the two short films ''Ferris Wheel at 3:03:15 PM'', and ''Seven Samurai''.
The album ''Music for Commercials'', a collection of his melodies aired as TV jingles, was released in 1987. He authored the “sound identity” for TV film channel Cinefil Imagica, then released an album of related tracks entitled ''Cinefil'' (2001).
He wrote scores for a number TV dramas, plus a documentary and experimental film for the Japanese national broadcaster [[NHK|NHK TV]]. In 2007 NHK adopted his music for the educational series ''Mathematica II''. His 2014 soundtrack to the dramatization of [[Ryu Murakami|Ryu Murakami's]] ''Gojūgo-sai kara no Harōraifu'' (''Finding Life After 55'') was later released as an album.
A major event in 2008 saw Shimizu compose music for a one-off screening of the newly restored 1925 silent film [[Orochi (film)|''Orochi'']], a samurai “''[[chambara]]''” sword-fighting drama. He performed this “live soundtrack” with the Saxophonettes and a 23-piece orchestra inside the grounds of [[Meiji Shrine]] in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cofesta.jp/2008/english/orochi.html |title=Cofesta 〜Japan International Contents Festival(Cofesta)〜 |publisher=Cofesta.jp |date=2008-10-17 |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313050235/http://www.cofesta.jp/2008/english/orochi.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He has worked with iconic Japanese comedian and director [[Hitoshi Matsumoto]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.festivalmarrakech.info/SYMBOL_a276.html |title=SYMBOL |publisher=En.festivalmarrakech.info |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313050235/http://en.festivalmarrakech.info/SYMBOL_a276.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> scoring the films ''Symbol'' (2009) and ''Scabbard Samurai'' (2011).
===Collaborations=== Shimizu’s partnerships with video, multimedia, and dance artists include commissions for Mao Kawaguchi’s video installations ''La Cite Délire'' (1987) and ''Niwa'' (1992), the performances by butoh dancer Goro Namerikawa ''Kioku no Gekijo'' (1990) and ''Flaneur vol. 5'' (1997),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oya909.co.jp/museum/chika_riyou/gorou02.html |title=地下空間の利用:滑川 五郎「フラヌール」 |publisher=Oya909.co.jp |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2012-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313050235/http://www.oya909.co.jp/museum/chika_riyou/gorou02.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the Simon James art installations ''Look Don't Touch'' (1998), and ''Chasing Light'' (2002).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simonjames.com/chasinglight/chasinglight1a.html |title=Chasing Light |publisher=Simon James |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195717/http://www.simonjames.com/chasinglight/chasinglight1a.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2004 he composed music for the sound installations featured in “Dream Garden Factory,” a landscape of six gardens with different themes at the Pacific Flora 2004 expo. Excerpts from the installation were released on the album ''Seventh Garden'' (2004).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fm20040711l1.html |title=Yasuaki Shimizu | The Japan Times Online |publisher=Search.japantimes.co.jp |date=2004-07-11 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref>
Between 2006 and 2007, his concerts with the Saxophonettes at venues in Tokyo and Osaka featured as guest artist the contemporary dancer Masako Yasumoto.<ref>{{cite web |author=Ozaki Tetsuya |url=http://www.realtokyo.co.jp/docs/en/column/outoftokyo/bn/ozaki_148_en/ |title=Column | Out of Tokyo | 148: Shimizu Yasuaki's New Challenge |publisher=Realtokyo |date=2006-10-12 |access-date=2012-05-09 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303201056/http://www.realtokyo.co.jp/docs/en/column/outoftokyo/bn/ozaki_148_en/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2012 Shimizu collaborated with media artist [[Masaki Fujihata]] on his project ''Voices of Aliveness'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voicesofaliveness.net | title=Voices of Aliveness – Masaki Fujihata | date=May–June 2012 |access-date=2016-04-17}}</ref> a multimedia public recording, installation and performance for the [[Estuaire (biennale)|Estuaire Biennale]] in [[Nantes]], France. The work won the Award of Distinction at the [[Prix Ars Electronica]].
As a composer-producer-arranger, he has collaborated with artists as diverse as Japanese enka balladeer [[Saburo Kitajima]], composers [[Ryuichi Sakamoto]] and [[Koji Ueno]], jazz vocalists [[Helen Merrill]] and [[Karin Krog]], guitarist [[Kazumi Watanabe]], French pop singer [[Pierre Barouh]], and DJ [[Towa Tei]]. He has also contributed to recordings by trumpeter [[Toshinori Kondo]], DJ [[Dee Nasty]], [[Björk]] and others.
Live collaborations include appearances with [[Bill Laswell]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyorotation.com/ |title=Bill Laswell Presents Tokyo Rotation |publisher=Tokyorotation.com |date=2011-05-17 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref> [[Elvin Jones]], [[Yosuke Yamashita]], [[Van Dyke Parks]], [[Urban Sax]], [[Manu Dibango]], [[David Cunningham (musician)|David Cunningham]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stalk.net/piano/staubgold91.htm |title=One Hundred - Yasuaki Shimizu and David Cunningham |publisher=Stalk.net |date=2004-12-26 |access-date=2012-05-09}}</ref> and [[Carl Stone]].
From 1991 to 1994 he teamed up with ex-[[Yellow Magic Orchestra|YMO]] artist [[Haruomi Hosono]] to produce the Tokyo Mura Mura Festival, presenting improbable line-ups of talents such as [[Michael Nyman]], [[John Zorn]], [[Julee Cruise]], and [[The Orb]].
==Discography==
===Yasuaki Shimizu===
* ''Get You'' (1978) * ''Mariah'' (1979) * ''Far East Express'' (1979) * ''Berlin'' (1980) * ''IQ 179'' (1981) * ''[[Kakashi (album)|Kakashi]]'' (1982) * ''Music for Commercials'' (1987) Compilation of jingles for TV commercials * ''Subliminal'' (1987) * ''Dementos'' (1988) * ''Aduna'' (1989) * ''Shadow of China'' (1990) Film soundtrack * ''Pao-Jiang-Hu'' (1995) Film documentary soundtrack * ''X'' (1996) Film soundtrack * ''Juvenile'' (2000) Film soundtrack * ''Cinefil'' (2001) Compilation from the film channel Cinefil Imagica * ''Stereo Future'' (2001) Film soundtrack (Various Artists: disc 1 Yasuaki Shimizu) * ''Seventh Garden'' (2004) Excerpts from Pacific Flora 2004: Dream Garden Factory sound installation * ''One Hundred'' (2009) Live recording with [[David Cunningham (musician)|David Cunningham]] * ''Felt'' (2010) with Keichiro Shibuya * ''55-sai Kara no Hello Life '' (2014) TV drama soundtrack * ''SYO'' (2014) with [[Hideo Yamaki]], Gen Ogimi * ''Kiren'' (2022)
===Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes===
* ''L’Automne à Pekin'' (1983) * ''Stardust'' (1985) * ''Latin'' (1991) * ''Time and Again'' (1993) * ''Suite1'' (1996) * ''Cello Suites 1.2.3'' (1996) * ''From the Cello Suites'' (1996) * ''Bach Box'' (1997) Prize for Best Production, 39th [[Japan Record Awards]] * ''Cello Suites 4.5.6'' (1999) * ''Cello Suites'' (2003) DVD-Audio * ''Pentatonica'' (2007) * ''Cello Suites'' (2007) ''Cello Suites 1.2.3'' and ''Cello Suites 4.5.6'' reissued as double album * ''Goldberg Variations'' (2015)
===Mariah=== * ''Yen Tricks'' (1980) * ''Auschwitz Dream'' (1981) * ''Marginal Love'' (1981) * ''Red Party'' (1982) * ''Utakata no Hibi'' (1983)
== References == <!--- See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} * [https://www.youtube.com/satetoartists/ Official YouTube channel] * [http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/12/interview-mariah-yasuaki-shimizu-utakata-no-hibi/ Interview with Red Bull Music Academy] * [http://blog.zzounds.com/2015/12/31/interview-with-yasuaki-shimizu-mariah/ Interview with zZounds] {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shimizu, Yasuaki}} [[Category:1954 births]] [[Category:Japanese film score composers]] [[Category:Japanese male film score composers]] [[Category:Japanese record producers]] [[Category:Japanese saxophonists]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Musicians from Shizuoka Prefecture]] [[Category:People from Shimada, Shizuoka]]