SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS is an explosive Japanese jazz band, comprised of six musicians; Shacho (agitator, spirit), Tabu zombie (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), Josei (piano), Akita Goldman (bass) and Midorin (drums).

At its core, the group is about giving pulsating live performances. SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS combine the highest musicianship with the coolest of cool sounds and atmosphere. Their brand of jazz is rough around the edges, unadulterated entertainment and constantly kept at boiling point.

Each member brings his own unique talent and perspective. They originally met at a club event in Tokyo in 2001. The Tokyo club scene was dominated by DJs until SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS arrived, breaking the mold as live pioneers. Calling their music "DEATH JAZZ", they gained recognition for performing an original form of aggressive alternative jazz. The band comments; "We always felt that in the world of jazz, there was an unwritten rule that the musicians were to concentrate on their techniques and the audience were simply there to admire, like a transmitter/ receiver relationship. We wanted to break away from that and create exciting jazz with far more interaction between the players and the audience". Shacho, who holds a rather unusual title in a jazz band as "the agitator", plays a key role in this by stirring and stimulating the audience.

It did not take long for SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS to become one of the hottest new bands in Japan and becoming favorites of major festivals including Fuji Rock. Their international breakthrough came when Gilles Peterson, the renowned British DJ, introduced the them through his Radio 1 show "WorldWide". In the summer of 2005, by invitation from Giles, the band traveled to the UK to perform on his program. The name spread further via the international jazz network and at the BBC World Wide Award later that year, SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS was awarded with the "John Peel Play More Jazz Award".

While continuing to perform in Japan, the band expanded their playing field performing in over 12 European countries and at major international festivals including Montreux and North Sea.

The band's album 'Pimp Master' was released in 2006 through Compost in Europe and Brownswood Recordings in the UK. 'PIMPOINT' is scheduled for early summer release in Europe and the UK by Brownswood Recordings.

日本国内外で活躍するWatusi、松岡“matzz”高廣、堀越雄輔の３名のメンバーが結成した、21世紀の「正しいディスコ」を展開するユニット“TDO”。いよいよ2017年1月1日にアルバム『TOKYO DISCOTHEQUE ORCHESTRA』をリリース。本作は、bird、SILVA、JILLE、YOSHIKA（from SOULHEAD）といった日本を代表する錚々たる女性ヴォーカリストを迎えて制作されたダンス・アルバム。ぜひ聞いてください！

CD RELEASE : 2017.1.1
店頭解禁日:2016.12.27
Digital RELEASE : 2016.12.27
￥ 1,980 + 税 
No. : ZLCP-0312 / POS : 458041307480

Tokyo ✈️  New York, Soul Singer
A contemporary soul singer with a powerful, New York-honed voice, Nao Yoshioka blends modern style with the deep roots of classic soul. Born in Japan and moving to New York alone, a Sam Cooke song sparked her passion to create music that moves people. Her soulful tone, often compared to Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, reflects both strength and resilience.
Nao’s live performances have gone viral, with one video surpassing 4.9 million views. She’s headlined Blue Note New York, London Jazz Cafe, and appeared at major festivals including Java Jazz and Capital Jazz Fest.
The first Japanese artist to reach No. 32 on Billboard’s UAC chart, she has collaborated with John Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, and Blue Lab Beats. Following her 2024 album Flow, Nao toured Europe, the U.S., China, and Malaysia, continuing to bridge cultures through her uplifting soul sound.

alto saxophonist, singer, composer, songwriter

New album Not Everyone Can Go – out now everywhere.

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