Orquesta Libre
Orquesta Libre is a Japanese large-ensemble project led by drummer and composer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki. Active since 2011, the group reimagines standards from jazz, rock, film, and theater for a flexible “mini-orchestra,” often with guest vocalists and collaborators.
The ensemble released two debut studio albums simultaneously in July 2012—one a two-disc vocal set with singer-songwriters Yoichiro Yanagihara and Yuichi Ohata, and the other an instrumental collection—on Yoshigaki's Glamorous Records imprint. A European tour followed, including an appearance at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, and the group played at Fuji Rock Festival '12.
In 2013–2014 Orquesta Libre issued the Ellington tribute Plays Duke featuring pianist Suga Dairo and tap dancer RON×II, which received coverage in English-language jazz media.
History
Formation and concept
Orquesta Libre grew out of a 2011 curated concert at Shinjuku Pit Inn in Tokyo. Conceived by Yoshigaki as a flexible, song-centered orchestra, the band set out to “turn anything with a strong melody into a standard,” ranging from 1960s–70s rock and pop to Brecht/Weill and film music, re-arranged for winds, brass, vibraphone, guitar, and rhythm section, with occasional tap dance and guest vocals.Early releases and European tour (2012)
On July 4, 2012, the group released two albums on Yoshigaki’s Glamorous Records: the two-disc vocal set Uta no Katachi —with one disc featuring Yoichiro Yanagihara and the other Yuichi Ohata—and the instrumental Can’t Help Falling in Love. Following the releases, Orquesta Libre toured Europe in July 2012, including an appearance at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, and later performed at Fuji Rock Festival '12.Plays Duke and subsequent activities
The ensemble’s Ellington project with pianist Suga Dairo and tap dancer RON×II was documented on Plays Duke and received coverage in English-language jazz media.Musical style and collaborators
Critics describe Orquesta Libre as an “alternative wind-orchestra” that blurs jazz, rock, theatre, and film music, often juxtaposing Ellington with 1960s/70s pop and Brazilian repertoire. Core instrumentation has included saxophones, trumpet, trombone, tuba, vibraphone, guitar, bass, drums and percussion; collaborators have included pianist Suga Dairo, tap dancer RON×II, and vocalists Yoichiro Yanagihara and Yuichi Ohata.International performances
- Europe : European tour in July 2012 including Copenhagen Jazz Festival; domestic appearance at Fuji Rock Festival '12 followed later that month.
- Europe : A later Orquesta Libre Europe Tour received support in the Japan Foundation’s grant program listings.
Members
Line-ups vary by project. Yoshigaki leads on drums and percussion. Documented personnel on Plays Duke include: Yoshigaki Yasuhiro, Taisei Aoki, Hiroyuki Shiotani, Daisuke Fujiwara, Takao Watanabe, Gideon Juckes, Kumiko Takara, Masato Suzuki, Motomu Shiiya, Yoichi Okabe, plus guests Suga Dairo and Ron×II.Discography
''Uta no Katachi (UTA NO KA·TA·CHI)'' (2012)
; Red Disc — with Yoichiro Yanagihara; Yellow Disc — with Yuichi Ohata
Notable performances
- Copenhagen Jazz Festival – invitation referenced in artist interview.
- Fuji Rock Festival '12.