Shinjuku Bad Luck Tale - Yamashita Trio's Improvisation and Challenge - 1970s

Shinjuku Bad Luck Tale - Yamashita Trio's Improvisation and Challenge - 1970s

The Yamashita Trio is a jazz trio formed around Yosuke Yamashita, and is characterized by a style of playing in which all members maximize their individual expressiveness based on improvisation. The meaning behind the phrase "to play as badly as possible" is symbolic of their musical philosophy. This represents their attitude of not being bound by existing musical forms and theories, but rather continuing to push the limits through free improvisation.

In the trio's performance, the piano, bass, and drums have their own independent roles but work in harmony and as one to create music. The trio is characterized by the fact that while each individual gives their all and pursues their own unique expression, they do not lose their balance as a whole.

The expression "bad luck" reflects the spirit of never giving up and continuing to creatively challenge against difficulties and adversity. The free jazz genre was avant-garde, deviating from the mainstream music of the time, and was a risky challenge. However, Yosuke Yamashita and the members of the trio never wavered in their beliefs about music, and continued to search for a performance that would push them beyond their own limits.

As a leading figure in Japanese free jazz, Yosuke Yamashita pursued a style of playing that broke with musical theory and existing frameworks in pursuit of complete freedom. Although his playing was sometimes described as "subversive" and "violent," it should be accepted as an attempt to create a new order and beauty, not mere confusion.

The phrase "to do as bad a job as we can" symbolizes their attitude of genuinely confronting and challenging the music without compromising the expectations of the music industry or the audience. These words convey the enthusiasm and passion they have for their performances.