Don Cherry, Masahiko Togashi

2024 Repress. Masahiko Togashi was a pivotal figure in the development of the Japanese free jazz scene in late 60s. Percussionist and composer, he lost the use of the legs in an accident which nevertheless didn’t not prevent him from continuing an astonishing career that includes long and established collaborations with figures of the likes of Steve Lacy, Charlie Haden, Mal Waldron and Paul Bley. This session, recorded in Paris at the Ramèse Studio Du Village in 1979, sees an explosive collaboration by the trio of Masahiko Togashi, Don Cherry and Charlie Haden. A real standout on the Togashi productions of the 70s

Born in Tokyo on March 22, 1940, Togashi began his musical education with the violin at age 6 and later took up drums. He made his debut as a professional drummer at 14 with his father’s Swing band, and appeared on his first recording three years later with Sadao Watanabe’s Cozy quartet. Togashi would go on to form his own quartet, releasing his group’s debut album, We Now Create, in 1969. A spinal injury in 1970 left the jazz percussionist permanently paralyzed from the waist down, and he would play the rest of his life seated in a specially designed wheelchair. His physical disability limited his international travels and festival appearances, but he frequently played with musicians who visited Japan. Most notable among these was saxophonist Steve Lacy, who performed and recorded extensively with Togashi during his 12 tours in Japan.