About

“One of the most commanding voices on bass today”

Yasushi Nakamura is praised for imaginative, quicksilver bass lines that deepen the groove. His blend of guitar-like precision and gut-level blues has sparked collaborations with artists such as Cécile McLorin Salvant, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Emmet Cohen, Wycliffe Gordon, American Patchwork Quartet, Makoto Ozone and etc. With his charismatic stage presence and artful, hard-swinging melodic touch, Nakamura is a first-call performer capturing new audiences and fans around the world.

Born in Tokyo, Nakamura moved to the United States at age 9 and considers both places home. He started with clarinet and tenor saxophone, but his older brother’s study of guitar and drums inspired him to pick up the bass. Despite his love for rock and funk, the music of Charlie Parker, Ray Brown, and Miles Davis remained a strong influence. Nakamura earned a BA in Jazz Performance from Berklee School of Music in 2000 and received a full scholarship to The Juilliard School for his Artist Diploma in 2006. He credits Myron Walden as an early champion and maintains close ties to Juilliard mentors Victor Goines, Wycliffe Gordon, and Carl Allen, as well as Ben Wolfe, all of whom perform with him in their bands.

Nakamura’s career is thriving, with regular appearances at top jazz festivals including Tokyo, North Sea, Monterey, Ravinia, and performances at venues such as Birdland, Village Vanguard, the Blue Note, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. In 2014, he played in the “NEA Jazz Masters Concert: Celebrating Jamey Abersold, Anthony Braxton, Richard Davis, and Keith Jarrett,” sharing the stage with Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman. His diverse projects allow him to explore various musical styles and collaborations. In 2016, he recorded with longtime inspiration Toshiko Akiyoshi for her recent release, Porgy and Bess. His performance with Akiyoshi’s Jazz Orchestra was also featured in a documentary film. Recent works include “For the Love of Duke” with the New York City Ballet choreographed by Susan Stroman, and “Ellington at Christmas: Nutcracker Suite” with Savion Glover, Lizz Wright, the Abyssinian Baptist Choir, and David Berger conducting. In 2010, he toured the Middle East with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s “Kings of the Crescent City” project, and in 2008, he toured Asia with the Juilliard All-Stars. As an educator, Nakamura has led master classes and summer programs at The Juilliard School, New School, Koyo Conservatory, Osaka Geidai, and Savannah Swing Central.

In 2016, Nakamura released his first album, "A Lifetime Treasure," and in 2017, he released his second album, "Hometown," from Atelier Sawano, featuring Lawrence Fields, Bigyuki, and Clarence Penn, which was named album of the year 2017 by JazzLife magazine.