Benjamin Herman trio featuring BIGYUKI

The album was recorded in April 2025 at the iconic Studio Dede in Tokyo. During these sessions, Herman invited a number of his favourite musicians, including guitarist and noise legend Otomo Yoshihide, tenor saxophonist Tomoaki Baba, and trumpeter Shinpei Ruike. You can also hear traditional Japanese woodwinds.

Back in the Netherlands, producer Jimmi Jo Hueting collaborated with Herman to develop the recordings into a full-fledged album. With analogue synths and effects, samples, and subtle overdubs, “The Tokyo Sessions” became an ode to the multifaceted Japanese music culture: from underground jazz to anime soundtracks and Japanese salon music.

For the tour to promote the new album, the trio is joined by Japanese keyboardist BIGYUKI. This exceptional musician and producer is known for his futuristic crossover of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and electronica. His sound is a unique blend of his Japanese roots and the vibrant New York scene in which he lives and works.

BIGYUKI has previously attracted the attention of greats such as Mark Guiliana, Meshel Ndegeocello, Marcus Strickland, Q-Tip, Bilal, and Talib Kweli. Moreover, he left his mark on albums such as “We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service” by A Tribe Called Quest and “4 Your Eyez Only” by J. Cole.