Yanagiman Explained

Background:person
Native Name Lang:Japanese
Birth Name:Yukiyasu Yanagi
Birth Date:9 November 1960
Birth Place:Amami Ōshima, Japan
Origin:Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan
Genre:Japanese pop, Jazz, Rock, Funk, Japanese folk, R&B, Hip-hop
Years Active:1997–present
Spouse:1989

Yukiyasu Yanagi (born 9 November 1960), better known by his stage name YANAGIMAN is a Japanese musician, composer, songwriter, arranger and record producer from Kagoshima. He composed, wrote, arranged and produced music for various famous artists including Ketsumeishi, Funky Monkey Babys, Miriya Katou, Elephant Kashimashi and Usher, who is an American popular singer-songwriter. He leads the music band "1933 Ukulele All Stars" and is the bandmaster. He is a visiting professor at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music and an adviser to the Matsumi High School[1] since 2022. His blood type is B and lives in Tokyo since 1995.

Early life and career

Yanagiman was born in Amami Ōshima island, Kagoshima Prefecture. He finished mandatory schools and high school in Kagoshima Prefecture and enrolled at Kumamoto University School of Pharmacy.

From early childhood he was involved with music. He was most influenced with Simon & Garfunkel and during his university days he was fascinated by Earth, Wind and Fire. As a result, he started his work as a jazz musician in Tokyo, 1982 and worked to improve his skills through many jazz sessions.[2] He was playing as a contrabass player at the jazz club "Shinjuku Pit Inn".[2] At the same year he dropped out of Kumamoto University during senior year.

In 1989, he moved to the United States with his wife and enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was as a scholarship exemption student[2] at that time. He held some sessions with a schoolmate, jazz pianist, there.[2]

Career track

When he returned from United States in 1992, he lived in Fukuoka, Japan and worked as a reporter on television. He acted with, a Japanese music band, and took part in their concert tour and played and recorded their songs.

In 1995, at the age of 35, he moved his base for musical activities to Tokyo after winning the contest "the Sound & Recording Magazine" sponsored. In 1997 he won the AXIA Tape Contest Grand-Prix for "Funky Face" co-written with .[2]

A chance given by the artist expanded his range of work, he participated in the production of a Southern All Stars's album by Kazuyuki Sekiguchi.[2] Moreover, he began producing and arranging work for Soul Lovers. After that he got acquainted with Ketsumeishi through Mahya from Soul Lovers, and started to create its music works.

His original specialty is standard pop music. He kept on learning to explore new genres of reggae and hip-hop, which led to hit tunes with Ketsumeishi's hip-hop lyrics.[3]

He produced music for various artists, for instance, Ketsumeishi, Funky Monkey Babys, Chemistry, Crystal Kay, Kumi Koda, Mika Nakashima, Miliyah Kato, Elephant Kashimashi, BoA, Def Tech and Ayaka Hirahara, in Japan. He also remixed for Usher, who is active in the Billboard scene and produced music to overseas artists such as Hong Kong singers (王友良), HotCha, and Ella Koon(官恩娜).

In 2000,, a music producer from the same in Kyushu, asked him if made a song for the ASAYAN audition. After that, he got acquainted with Chemistry and produced their first album track "Aishisugite (Love too hard)".[4]

In 2005, Ketsumeishi's "Ketsunopolis 4" was sold 2 million copies[5] and won the Japan Record Award for the Best Album of the year.[6]

By 2013, the cumulative number of shipped copies of his related works has reached more than 20 million.[7]

With his musician friends

In 2018, Yanagiman's Ukulele friend, Kazuyuki Sekiguchi from the Southern All Stars, formed "1933 Ukulele All Stars", so he served as its bandmaster. It comprised even Japanese musicians including Sekiguchi, Boo Takagi, Yoshio Nomura, Kimiko Wakiyama, You Hatakeyama and Yoko Oginome.[8]

After that, eager to donate to an orphanage in Cambodia, Yanagiman wrote a new song for Hitomi Shimatani, who agreed with his purpose. On May 3, 2019, she sang and performed the song "Cycle" at Pacifico Yokohama with over 20,000 people.[9]

Taking the situation of COVID-19 pandemics in May 2020, Yanagiman appeared on television, the NHK BS1 special program "On the night of refraining from going outside - A relay concert with ukulele". He played the ukulele and contrabass on broadcast from his home, because the introducing baton was passed to him by Kazuyuki Sekiguchi of the Southern All Stars. And after Yanagiman, the baton was passed to Boo Takagi of the Drifters and to the following Yoko Oginome.[10]

In July 2021, he wrote a music tune in "Japanese reggae" and gave to the special unit group that Hitomi Shimatani and Minmi collaborated for the first time.[11]

In April 2022, he was appointed as a visiting professor at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.[12]

Achievements

With Ketsumeishi:"Ketsunopolis 4" (2005) won the Japan Record Award for the Best Album.[6]
  • With BoA:"LOVE LETTER" (2007) won the Japan Record Award Gold Prize.[13]
  • With Funkey Monkey Babys:"Soredemo Shinjiteru(I still believe)" (2011) won the Japan Record Award for the Excellent Work Award.[14]
    • Appointed as:

    Discography

    As YANAGIMAN (As band player):

    Artistry

    Yanagiman's music style is generally pop, while he also incorporates Japanese folk music and hip hop occasionally. He has credited Simon & Garfunkel as a big influence.

    He says that his birthplace Amami Ōshima and Ishigaki Island, where his mother's family home is located, are the origins of his musicality.[16]

    His father was a police officer and also served as the chief of Yakushima Police Station in Kagoshima Prefecture. He had a strict personality and was also a 2nd dan in judo and 2nd dan in kendo. If Yanagiman did anything wrong, he was scolded with an iron fist. His rebellion against his father and his desire to be loved by his father affected his musicality.[16]

    Both his parents were Sanshin teachers. He was always involved with familiar music such as dancing to the Kachāshī music. He has been influenced by Okinawan music such as Shoukichi Kina's "Haisai Ojisan" and "Hana (Flowers: Flowers for everyone's hearts)".[16]

    At the age of 8, he was astonished by the messaging of Morinaga & Co.'s TV commercial "Bigger is better!!", and he admired it. This unforgettable impact turned into his worldview and by that he was trying to keep in mind as usual, "Music connects people. People connect music.".[16]

    When he was 10 years old, he set the beginning to produce music, for example by buying a Simon & Garfunkel record at the first time. And when he was in the 4th grade of elementary school, he made overdubbing with two cassette recorders that he bought with New Year's gift money.[16] When he entered junior high school, he started playing the acoustic guitar and bass, and to imitate Yōsui Inoue songs.[16]

    When Yanagiman was a university student, music with intense rhythm was popular, and he became fond of disco music [disambiguation required] and black music such as jazz, during his university.[2]

    His like for computers made him an early adopter of digital recording. He said in an interview that speed of the transition to digital was a factor in creating his hits. Especially from the latter half of the 1990s, CDJs (digital playing equipment for DJs) that can be played with scratch became popular.

    From the same time, the era has changed music, that two people carried a large and heavy instrument such as an organ into that light polyphonic synthesizers became mainstream, making it easier to play. He says that being able to record easily was a turning point in his music production.[4]

    From around 1998, the boom by Hikaru Utada changed the Japanese music scene from 8-beat band music to digital music.[17]

    As 16-beat music increased and 4-on-the-floor dance music came out more and more, Yanagiman was able to get on the R&B trend, the black music that he liked.[4]

    The first artist he met in Tokyo after moving there, was Kazuyuki Sekiguchi of the Southern All Stars. He learned their "non-genre and playful entertainment" from Sekiguchi. He says he felt the same in Ketsumeishi. They were conscious of music in which "erotic fun" and "beauty" were all mixed together.[4]

    When asked about the best 10 songs that inspired his production activities, he picked up "Earth, Wind & Fire," "The Greatest Showman," and "Pirates of the Caribbean."[16] And as an extra, he would give the sound effect collection and natural sound. He said that they used to put in intros and memorable parts of Japanese old classics.[16]

    Relationships

    Personal life and family

    In 1988, he met a woman who was a senior at Kumamoto University and was an officer, and he got married with her in 1989.[2] She also moved to the United States with him in 1989, when he enrolled at Berklee College of Music.[2] His son was born in 1994.[2]

    He likes dogs and has two miniature dachshunds.[18] He can play the bass, guitar, piano, and ukulele willingly.[18]

    Friendships

    Relationships

    As producer, composer, songwriter or arranger

    0-9.:
    A. :Ai Haruna,[19],,,,, Ayaka Hirahara,
    B.:,, Beni (singer), bless4, BoA
    C.:Can'ceHamahime,,[20] Chemistry, Chie,[7], Crystal Kay, C. W. Nicol,
    D.:, Def Tech, DJ A☆Lucky, Dohzi-T,[21]
    E.:EDEN,[22] Elephant Kashimashi, Ella Koon, Emi Tawata,[23] eT, Every Little Thing,
    F.:Freenote, Funky Kato, Funky Monkey Babys,
    G.:,[24] Gospellers
    H:Hanako Oku, HASHTAG,,,[25] Hitomi (singer), Hitomi Shimatani, Home Made Kazoku,
    I.:Issei Yoshimi, ITboys,[26],
    J.:,,,
    K.:K, Kanjani∞,[27] Kazuyuki Sekiguchi,[28],, Keizo Nakanishi, Kenshiro, Ketsumeishi, Kingrass Hoppers, Koda Kumi,,
    L.:Last First,[29] Lead, Lecca, Leyona, Lisa,,[30],,
    M.:,[31] Mai Hoshimura, Mao Abe,[32] Masanori Sera,[33] Mayo Okamoto, ME*, Megumi, Michinoku Sendai ORI☆Hime Tai,, (Def Tech), Mihimaru GT, Mika Nakashima, Mink, Minmi,[11] Miriya Katou,,[34] Missing Link and Takemasa Tsukaji,,,[35] Moomin,
    N.:, Nanase Hoshii,[36] Nēnēs,[37] NEWS, Norimasa Fujisawa[38]
    O.:[39]
    P.:
  • Q.:
  • R.:, RSP,, Ryuji,[40],[41]
    • S.:,, Seamonator & DJ Taki-Shit, Shota Shimizu,, SMAP, Spontania, SoulJa, Soul Lovers, Sowelu,
    T.:Takuya Ishida,, Tetsu and Tomo,[42] Thelma Aoyama,,,[43] Toshinobu Kubota,
    U.:, Unison Square Garden, Usher,
    V.:V6,,
    W.:
    X.:
  • Y.:,,,,
    • Z.:,[44]

    As bandmaster

    Kazuyuki Sekiguchi & 1933 Ukulele All Stars
    Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, who is a bassist and a member of Southern All Stars, called YANAGIMAN as a bandmaster in 2018 because he wanted to create a band like an orchestra with ukuleles. The album "FREE-UKES" will be released in August 2022 with musicians who love ukulele, Boo Takagi, Yoko Oginome, Yoshio Nomura, You Hatakeyama, and Kimiko Wakiyama. The title is combined by the plural form of "FREE" and "UKES" (the American designation).[10]

    As a collaborator

    DJ Taki-Shit
     Following the disbandment of his duo with the rapper Seamo, DJ Taki-Shit moved to Tokyo to study under Yanagiman in 2004.[45]

    Mack Jack
    All the members of MACK JACK have been training with Yanagiman.

    Appearance

    Radio series:

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Correspondence high school and skill cooperated school for school refusal and changing schoolMatsumi Gakuen High School. www.matsumi-gakuen.net. Japanese. 2021-07-13.
    2. Web site: YANAGIMAN's profile. 2021-07-13. Yanagiman official website. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    3. Web site: Daily Sugoi Hito! An amazing person who is a music producer, his participated works have already shipped more than 20 million copies cumulatively.. Daily Sugoi Hito!. 6 August 2015 . 2021-07-13.
    4. Web site: What is the secret of hits by "Ketsumeishi"? ~Dialogue with YANAGIMAN #1~. 2019-07-17. note. Fanimedia. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    5. Web site: Ketsumeishi's "Sakura" is in third place! What is the first place of "Spring Songs" in the Heisei era?. Taishu. Japanese. 2021-07-13.
    6. Web site: December 31, "Ketsunopolis 4" won the "Best Album Award" at the 47th Japan Record Awards. Ketsumeishi Website. Japanese. 2021-07-13.
    7. An active OL singer "Chie" starts an 180-day project aiming for the first place on Oricon! ~Produced by "YANAGIMAN", who has done Ketsumeishi, Mika Nakajima~ . M-collection. 2013-01-30 . Japanese. 2019-01-24.
    8. Web site: ■"The Seven Lucky Gods Of Ukulele Arrive! - Spring has come in Yokohama" will be held at Billboard Live Yokohama in March next year. 2011-11-20. THE FIRST TIMES. Japanese. 2011-11-20.
    9. Web site: YANAGIMAN and Hitomi Shimatani talk about the activities of the United Nations SDGs at TSC.. 2011-11-20. WWSchannel. Japanese. 2011-11-20.
    10. Web site: NHK公式ホームページ「外出自粛の夜に～ウクレレでリレー音楽会」. 2020-05-20. NHK BS1 website. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    11. Web site: [The Television] Hitomi Shimatani & MINMI collaborate for the first time under the name "HITOMINMI", to release the new Japanese-style reggae song. "A song was made that can represent Japan in music!"]. 2021-07-15. Web The Television. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    12. Web site: Instructors of Faculty Members - Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. 2022-04-01. Senzoku Gakuen College of Music. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    13. News: BoA "The new song is a fluttering song that makes you want to fall in love!!". ORICON STYLE. 2007-10-01. Japanese. 2015-07-13.
    14. Web site: The Japan Record Awards excellent awards of the year have been decided.. 2011-11-20. Yanagiman's blog. https://web.archive.org/web/20210208015118/http://gree.jp/yanagiman/blog/entry/610594693 . Japanese. 2011-11-20. 2021-02-08 .
    15. Web site: [Official Website of Nagahama] Ambassadors' system to Nagahama city brand（長浜市PR大使）]. 長浜市公式サイト. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    16. Web site: An interview with YANAGIMAN as hitmaker, whose cumulative 20 million of CD copies with "Fanmon", "BoA", "Ketsumeishi", are about his behind-the-scenes story and history in music. 2020-03-03. Japanese. Feed Special Music. 2023-07-20.
    17. Web site: Utada Hikaru upended the Japanese music scene like no one before — or since. 2016-04-15. TheWorld. Naomi Gingold. 2023-07-20.
    18. Web site: A music producer YANAGIMAN, who has won two Record Awards and sold 20 million CDs, reveals how to make a hit song. 2021-07-13. Artist Sendenbu. 2023-07-20.
    19. Web site: [Oricon News] "WELCOME TO JAPAN PROJECT" launched: Idols show off the charm of Japan]. 2015-05-25. Oricon News. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    20. Web site: [Tokyo Sports] An outstanding gathering attention! Approached the fresher's group "Cerisier" with the charm]. 2017-12-31. Tosupo Web. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    21. Web site: [CDJournal] Dohzi-T will release his long-awaited fifth studio album "GOLD" on December first!]. 2010-11-01. CDJournal. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    22. Web site: [BARKS] Good-looking EDEN, their second single with YANAGIMAN, the producer for Fanmon and Ketsume, participating for the first time]. 2014-03-08. BARKS. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    23. Web site: [Music Natalie] Emi Tawata's first full album has 16 plenty of new songs and recordings]. 2009-09-01. Music Natalie. Hisakatsu Tanaka. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    24. Web site: The unique theater group "Gekidan Banchō Boys☆", which attracts attention with the member's handsome faces, is now working on the handsome pastry chefs!. 2016-12-01. Smart Boys. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    25. Web site: "Hiroshi Hashimoto", the chairman of Kyoden Group, releases his debut single "Genki DE SHOW" from Universal Music to major. 2009-07-22. Atpress. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    26. Web site: Fashion models by itSnap also appeared in its MV! A new song by ITBOYS, the unique five-member group, will be released on 27 August (Tuesday)!. 2019-08-24. itSnap Magazine. Izumi Banno (vivace). Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    27. Web site: Kanjani∞'s new work produced with Ken Yokoyama, Keisuke Ulfuru and others. 2010-09-13. Music Natalie. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    28. Web site: [Music Natalie] Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, the member of Southern All Stars, his solo work with Yuko Hara, Kiyosaku, Ayano Tsuji and YANAGIMAN]. 2012-08-27. Music Natalie. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    29. Web site: "Junretsu's younger brother" LAST FIRST held a live performance to congratulate the release of their new song "Life is Beautiful" and they said that wanted to aim for Budokan with their fans. 2021-08-19. Spice. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    30. Web site: Lisa Melody sang her new song "Sugarpet". 2019-03-31. Sansupo. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    31. Web site: MACK JACK, The new song "Anthem" will be the ending theme of Fuji TV's program "Junk Sports"! A music video in which the girls brass band group MOS participated is also released!. 2019-07-17. PR TIMES. Orchard Enterprises NY. Japanese. 2023-07-20.
    32. Web site: [BARKS] Decided Mao Abe's new album 'YOU']. 2018-01-01. BARKS. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    33. Web site: [Music Natalie] Sera Masanori's enthusiastic sing on the cover album of Spitz, Tamio, Kazuyoshi Saito nad Yemon]. 2012-08-17. Music Natalie. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    34. Web site: Missing Link releases the first of 2010 produced by YANAGIMAN. 2010-03-11. BARKS. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    35. Web site: Momoko Suzuki's two-disc best album, including "COSA NOSTRA" and solo works, were released! A congratulation live will also be held. 2019-04-07. music.jp News. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    36. Web site: Natchan challenges the Motown sound by three in one!. 2004-12-03. BARKS. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    37. Web site: [Music Natalie] Nenes' new album "MAPAI", music tunes of that given by Masaru Shimabukuro, Shingo Maekawa and Kazushi Miyazawa and others]. 2018-06-20. Music Natalie. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    38. Web site: A prince of operatic pop Norimasa Fujisawa releases two shocking ambitious works in 2017, the ninth anniversary of his debut! His double-A-side single of a new song written by Keizo Nakanishi and "Dandy sheep butler" on NHK Minna no uta will be released on 13 Semptember!!. 2017-08-01. Warner Musin Japan. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    39. Web site: [Oricon News] Local Idols in Numadsu debut at "JAPAN EXPO" in France "From the local to the world"]. 2014-06-30. ORICON. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    40. Web site: Ryuji's "Kohtsuki River ~ Kohtsukigawa" - "Ryuji" from Kagoshima who made his debut on 20 May. 2009-07-14. DJPocky. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    41. Web site: Runningman Tokyo with former members of ZOO, whose music by Keizo Nakanishi & Arisu Sato. 2015-01-29. CDJournal. Japanese. 2023-07-24.
    42. Web site: [The Weekly Television] Tetsu and Tomo multiple RAB, smart and sharp "I wonder why" dance video released!]. 2019-12-05. The television. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    43. Web site: [BARKS] Tiara debuts produced by YANAGIMAN]. 2007-07-04. BARKS. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    44. Web site: From Miyagi to the nation. The six-member "Zenryoku Boys", whose early morning live performances are on-topic, on the steps towards their dreams, and are lively at Sendai PIT. 2019-03-14. Yahoo!News. Hisakatsu Tanaka. Japanese. 2023-07-23.
    45. Web site: ABOUT . 2023-12-09 . DJ TAKI-SHIT Official website . ja.
    46. Web site: ANAGIMAN MC~Shibuya Cross FM"LOVE JAPAN" Program's Homepage. 2019-03-31. Shibuya Cross FM. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331093320/http://www.shibuyacrossfm.jp/program/sat/13.php . Japanese. 2023-07-20. 2019-03-31 .

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