Visit to Osaka College of Music, Japan

In the 4th week of April I had the privilege of visiting the Osaka College of Music, representing Jazeps Vitols Latvian Music Academy together with saxophonist Arvydas Kazlauskas, additionally supported by contrabassist Stanislavs Judins forming our free improvisation group Endless Roar.

Our connection with the Osaka College of Music was first established over a year ago in the Spring of 2024 through jazz piano professor Akira Ishii. He graciously facilitated an official letter from his institution to ours, inviting us to give lectures to his department’s students. Since then we have exchanged over 70 emails in preparation for every technical and logistical detail.

The lecture I was responsible for was on Group Improvisation, drawing from theory of group flow in music psychology, the history of group improvisation in the free jazz movement in the West and Japan, and group improv methodology derived from these. Then Arvydas, Stanislavs and I led a group improvisation session in which students and staff joined us in different combinations playing together.

Arvydas Kazlauskas also led a presentation on Latvian saxophone music, and gave two masterclasses to classical saxophone students, all of which were very well received.

Additionally, I was given a chance to share about my BCMI research, and where it may play a role in group improvisation.

Prof. Akira Ishii was keen to experience the BCMI system first-hand, so we also met the next day 

in a rehearsal studio in Shinsaibashi. He immediately grasped the concepts behind the system and explored several scenarios where he played the piano with contrasting expressive intentions, and where he sat still, imagining music in his head while observing modulations in his EEG signal represented by rhythms played on a timpani in a DAW controlled through MIDI. I admired his curiosity and quick comprehension of the potential of such technology to play a role in cooperative art creation in the future.

My team was deeply grateful to and impressed by the excellent teamwork and preparation by Osaka College of Music faculty. In particular, Sonoko Nakao who interpreted my lecture and group improvisation session, and to Umezawa Shuichi who facilitated the logistical and technical arrangements required for demonstrating a BCMI system. 

We were also very impressed by the students and staff, who were keen to volunteer to play through the improvisation games we prepared. All approached the stage and played with enthusiasm and an open attitude, revealing both talent and character.

This has been a very positive encounter which motivates further cooperation. We already look forward to working together with the Osaka College of Music again.