A native of Osaka Japan, Yasuyuki “YAZ” Takagi has lived in Brooklyn since 1992. Yaz Band, formed in 2002, is a four piece group which plays classic R&B songs written by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire and Marvin Gaye as well as original instrumental tunes influenced by Grover Washington, Jr., Maceo Parker and The Crusaders.
As an official member of the MTA sponsored “Music Under New York” series, Yaz Band has performed at various New York City subway stations. Yaz Band has gained further exposure and recognition “above ground” as he has performed at the Lincoln Square BID’s Free Lunchtime Concerts, Lincoln Center’s “Out of Doors” Festival, and at the historic “Apollo Theater”.
Audiences have had the pleasure to hear his energetic and soulful playing at many venues throughout the metropolitan area. Yaz’s popularity has soared to the extent that he has also appeared on television in his native Japan and New York City’s smooth jazz radio station.
Location: Gracious Home – Broadway at 67th Street
Time: 6:00pm | 7:00pm | 8:00pm