Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Quintet

Otomo Yoshihide's New Jazz Quintet (ONJQ) is a Japanese free jazz/experimental ensemble led by a composer, sound producer, turntablist and guitarist Otomo Yoshihide. Primarily active between 1999 and 2005, ONJQ subsequently evolved into other band formations under Yoshihide's direction, including ONJE septet, ONJT trio, and New Jazz Orchestra with 10+ members. The New Jazz Quintet produced eight full-length albums, most recently — Hat And Beard CD, recorded in November 2018 and released in June 2020 by Kyoto-based label F.M.N. Sound Factory. The ensemble came together in 1999 when Otomo Yoshihide invited two prominent jazz saxophonists, Naruyoshi Kikuchi and Tsugami Kenta, backed by Hiroaki Mizutani/Yasuhiro Yoshigaki's rhythm section, to record three compositions for his Music of Takeo Yamashita album. In July of the same year, the New Jazz Quintet debuted on-stage at Shinjuku's Pit Inn and recorded four bonus tracks for Aryan Kaganof's Shabondama Elegy soundtrack at Earth Studio in Tokyo. ONJQ toured across Europe, with stops in Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland, and participated in Music Unlimited Festival in Wels, Austria, in November '99 (performance documented on Mottomo Otomo CD compilation). In 2001, Quintet released its debut album, 221780, featuring special guests Sachiko M (sinewaves) and Japanoise veteran Masami Akita (EMS synth) at John Zorn's New York-based Tzadik label. The following two domestic Japanese CD releases, Live on DIW and 537024 studio collaboration with Tatsuya Oe on P-Vine Records, solidified Otomo's reputation as a band leader, prompting some critics to invent the new term "onkyō-jazz" for his Quintet. ONJQ continued touring Japan, Belgium, and Austria and traveled to the USA in October 2002, performing with Sachiko M at the Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago. In February 2004, Kikuchi left the ensemble, with Alfred Harth (reeds) standing in for him at subsequent shows in Japan, Poland and France. In August, the Quintet gave the final performance in a "classic" line-up (with Mats Gustafsson on sax) at the Jazz Em Agosto festival, published two years later as ONJQ - Live In Lisbon CD by Portuguese label Clean Feed. For the next few years, Otomo primarily focused on the expanded New Jazz Ensemble and only played with the Quintet's "core" twice at Shinjuku's Pit Inn in Tokyo: as New Jazz Quartet in December 2006 and with Axel Dörner (trumpet) in August 2007. Three years later, while recording with his newly-formed New Jazz Trio, Otomo brought together a one-off Quintet configuration with Sachiko M (sinewaves) and Jim O'Rourke on EMS synth; these sessions appeared on Doubtmusic's 'twin' dmf-138/dmf-139 CD albums. Original ONJQ line-up (1999–2004) Otomo Yoshihide — electric & acoustic guitars Hiroaki Mizutani — bass Yasuhiro Yoshigaki — drums, trumpet Tsugami Kenta — saxophone Naruyoshi Kikuchi — saxophone Most recent formation (2018) Otomo Yoshihide — guitars Hiroaki Mizutani — bass Yasuhiro Yoshigaki — drums Osamu Imagome — trombone Shinpei Ruike — trumpet Intermittent members & guests Yoshinori Okuno — alto saxophone Tatsuki Masuko — electronics Kumiko Takara — vibraphone Ko Ishikawa — sho Taisei Aoki — trombone Masahiko Okura — prepared sax, bass clarinet Taku Unami — laptop, guitar Axel Dörner — trumpet Cor Fuhler — piano, synthesizers Kahimi Karie, Phew, Jun Togawa, Mariko Hamada — vocals