Yasuyuki "Yaz" Takagi
Yasuyuki "Yaz" Takagi is a classically trained jazz saxophonist.
Born in Osaka, Japan, he moved to New York City in April 1992. Takagi has a bachelor's degree in education from Japan's Kochi University. After he lost his day job as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks, he became a full-time musician and formed the Yaz Takagi Group, which became known as the Yaz Band.
The Yaz Band is a regularly featured group in the New York City Transit Authority's Music Under New York series. In 2002 the band worked at Grand Central Station, playing cover versions of songs by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Takagi has performed in Japan and at Lincoln Center.
The Yaz Band has recorded the albums Yaz, You Can't Say It in Public, and Rush Hour. Takagi has also released two reissue albums; You Can't Say It in Public, which includes five remixed and remastered selections from Rush Hour, and All for Love – The Best of Yaz Band, which includes selections from Yaz and Rush Hour.
