Yasuto Tanaka

Yasuto Tanaka ，Saxophone

Yasuto Tanaka is a renowned saxophonist known for his exceptional talent and versatile performances. He began his musical journey at Kunitachi College of Music, where he showcased his skills by winning 2nd place in the 1st Japan Wind and Percussion Competition and 1st place in the 4th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition.

In 1990, he marked his debut with a recital at the prestigious Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, launching a career that has since seen him perform extensively both domestically and internationally. As a soloist, he has collaborated with esteemed orchestras such as the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, Kobe Chamber Orchestra, and Osaka Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Dedicated to promoting music in public spaces, he has been a passionate advocate for the Regional Creation "Public Hall Music Revitalization Support Project" since 2000. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was honored with the Kinokuni Art Newcomer Award from Wakayama Prefecture in 2003.

His commitment to music education led him to become a registered artist of the Sony Music Foundation's "Classical for Children" initiative in 2021. As a professor at Kunitachi College of Music, he shares his expertise and nurtures the next generation of musicians.

Throughout his career, he has released several solo albums, including "Wind Instrument Solo Song Collection: Saxophone" (Nippon Columbia, 1991), "Rhapsody" (EMI Music Japan, 1995), "Saxophobia" (EMI Music Japan, 1997), "Gershwin Cocktail" (Kosei Publishing Co., Ltd., 2003), and "Moricone Paradise" (EMI Music Japan, 2012). Additionally, he is a founding member of the acclaimed saxophone quartet Trouvère Quartet, with whom he has released over 10 albums.

His contributions to the world of music were further recognized in 2001 when he was awarded the "Grand Prize" in the record section of the Agency for Cultural Affairs Art Festival.

Throughout his tenure from 1989 to 2023 as a saxophonist with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, he served with distinction, culminating in his role as Concertmaster from 2011 to 2023.

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