Ryota Higashi

Yamamoto graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. In addition, Higashi also received the Acanthus Music Award. He received his master's degree from the same university. As a soloist, he has performed concertos with the Tokyo New City Orchestra and the Geidai Philharmonia. Since 2006, he has been a member of Yasuaki Shimizu & Saxophonettes and Tokyo-Chutei-Iki. They have performed both in Japan and overseas, and have been met with favourable reception. Additionally, the albums by his saxophone quartet Quartet SPIRITUS, THE QUARTET and THE QUARTET II, were selected for special mention in Record Geijutsu magazine for two consecutive issues. Since 2013, he has also been a member of the Otomo Yoshihide Special Big Band. In addition to his solo activities, participation in orchestras and brass bands, and recordings, he is active in various forms of ensemble work. Higashi is a Lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen School of Music, and an exclusive instructor at Buffet Crampon Japan.