Yusuke Yamamoto: The Flow of Breath and Fingers

At the heart of the “Jam It Is” performance was Yusuke Yamamoto, whose improvisational solo on keys was nothing short of mesmerizing. Armed with a Rhodes and a melodica, Yamamoto’s playing style was a juxtaposition in itself—rooted in percussionist sensibilities, but executed with the breath control of melodica. His solo felt effortless, as if he were dancing with the air around him, the melodies flowing as naturally as his movements. 

His breathy, atmospheric tones contrasted the more aggressive rhythms around him, yet it never felt disconnected. His playing was like a thread weaving through the chaos, a quiet center of calm in an ocean of sound.

What truly sets Yusuke Yamamoto apart is his ability to transform the Fender Rhodes with his analog setup. When he hits a chord on the Rhodes, he immediately manipulates the sound using his analog pedals, creating a real-time looping delay effect that stretches a single note or chord into something much larger. This technique adds layers of texture and complexity, as the initial hit evolves into a cascading, almost hypnotic sound, continuously building and shifting. By using his pedals to loop, delay, and modify the Rhodes’ tones, Yamamoto blurs the lines between performance and sound design, creating an immersive sonic landscape that feels both organic and experimental.