Sugii
“Sugii” is the first single of Benjamin’s upcoming album The Tokyo Sessions, out in March 2026 on P-Vine Records (Japan) and Roach Records / Dox Records. The track was recorded at Studio Dede, Tokyo as part of The Tokyo Sessions recordings including Otomo Yoshihide and Tomoaki Baba amongst others.
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CREDITS
Benjamin Herman – alto saxophone
Jimmi Jo Hueting – drums
Thomas Pol – double bass
Composed by Benjamin Herman and Jimmi Jo Hueting
Produced by Jimmi Jo Hueting
Co-produced by Benjamin Herman
Recorded by Akihito Yoshikawa at Studio Dede, Tokyo
Mixed by Robin Hunt
Mastered by Akihito Yoshikawa at Studio Dede, Tokyo
Artwork by MURAKADO
THE TOKYO SESSIONS
“The Tokyo Sessions” is Benjamin’s dazzling new album project, set for release in March 2026 on P-Vine Records (Japan) and Roach Records / Dox Records. The music of “The Tokyo Sessions” was premiered at Expo 2025 Osaka with a special performance by the Benjamin Herman Trio ft. Tomoaki Baba. Part of the project launch was the release of the single “Wasshoi” featuring Japanese noise legend Otomo Yoshihide on guitar.
On Friday 3 April 2026, the Benjamin Herman Trio kicks off the The Tokyo Sessions release tour at LantarenVenster Rotterdam (NL). For these shows, the trio will be joined by Japanese key wizard BIGYUKI.
PROJECT INFO
In 2024 and 2025, Herman – along with bassist Thomas Pol and drummer and “The Tokyo Sessions” producer Jimmi Jo Hueting – immersed himself in Japan’s vibrant musical culture, exploring everything from Tokyo’s underground jazz clubs to anime soundtracks and rare 1950s sci-fi records. Under the deft hands of analog recording sage Akihito Yoshikawa at his legendary Studio Dede (Tokyo), the trio bundled their collective chops to forge fresh sounds through time-honored means. Joining them are some of Japan’s most esteemed names in Japanese music, including venerated composer/jazz musician Otomo Yoshihide and tenor sax maverick Tomoaki Baba – who stole thunder on the soundtrack of Tachikawa Yuzuru’s “Blue Giant” (2023).
Trumpet player Shinpei Ruike also returned to perform, as well as two accomplished practitioners of traditional Japanese woodwinds: Akihito Obama on shakuhachi and Ko Ishikawa on sho. Having such riches in energy and eclecticism bore almost too much fruit. Through live instrumentation, sampling and recording – Herman and his hermanos enter a collective space of feeling, where styles like new wave, freejazz and noise coalesce within the same express lane. Guided by the inspired production chops of Hueting, “The Tokyo Sessions” became an album where musical friendships translate into a tapestry of distinct sounds and sensibilities, bundled together in a chaotic, high rolling adventure.
The music of “The Tokyo Sessions” was premiered at Expo 2025 Osaka with a special performance by the Benjamin Herman Trio ft. Tomoaki Baba. Alongside the music, a documentary premiered directed by Herman’s twin brother and filmmaker Jonathan Herman uncovering the creative process behind the project. The project launch followed a promo tour by the Benjamin Herman Trio including shows at No Room For Squares (Tokyo), Star Eyes (Nagoya), Submarine (Kyoto) and Proust (Osaka).