Benjamin Herman alto sax · Jimmi Hueting drums · Thomas Pol doublebass · Tomoaki Baba tenor sax
Inspired by Tokyo’s hyper-eclectic underground scene, jazz saxophonist Benjamin Herman once again expands the boundaries of his musical universe with his new project The Tokyo Sessions. Together with Thomas Pol (double bass) and Jimmi Jo Hueting (drums), he creates a sonic landscape where acoustic jazz merges with driving electronics and samples.
The Tokyo Sessions was recorded in April 2025 at the iconic Studio Dede in Tokyo, under the direction of engineer Akihito Yoshikawa. For these sessions, Herman invited some of Japan’s most respected musicians, including noise legend Otomo Yoshihide (guitar), tenor saxophonist Tomoaki Baba and trumpeter Shinpei Ruike. The album also features traditional Japanese wind instruments performed by Akihito Obama (shakuhachi) and Ko Ishikawa (shō).
Back in the Netherlands, Herman further developed the recordings with producer Jimmi Jo Hueting, shaping them into a full-length album blending jazz, no wave and free improvisation. A tribute to Japan’s multifaceted musical culture, from underground jazz clubs to anime soundtracks and Japanese salon music.
For the tour presenting the new album, the trio will be joined by special guest Tomoaki Baba, one of Japan’s leading contemporary jazz saxophonists, known for his album Electric Rider (Universal Music, 2024) and for his contribution to the soundtrack of the animated film Blue Giant.
