Final Descent Presents: Mutsumi / Hirabayashi / Illerhag (JP/DK/SE) //CPHJAZZ

Artist in Residence 2025: New World of Okinawan Music

This year, the Final Descent Artist in Residence program is proud to present three extraordinary musicians from Japan. Intertwining their cultural upbringing with free improvisation, extended techniques, and cross-aesthetic experimentation, they each offer a unique take on recontextualized Japanese music—ranging from hypnotic minimalism and electro-acoustic folk to avant-garde and spiritual jazz.

Experience a new world of Okinawan music with the contemporary folk experimentalist Aragaki Mutsumi in a special trio encounter with Danish-Swedish bassist Joel Illerhag and Japanese-Danish pianist Makiko Hirabayashi

At the beginning of her solo concerts, Aragaki Mutsumi invites her audience to journey with her into another world of Okinawan music. It’s a voyage into her Okinawa, evoked through the expert sound of her sanshin playing, the rich expression of her voice, and the mesmerising atmospheres.

Mutsumi studied the traditional Okinawa string instrument sanshin and the island’s classical singing tradition under the tutelage of two great masters of Okinawan music, Fukuhara Chouki and Fukuhara Kyouko.

Her mission now is to integrate the deep soul of Okinawan music into a contemporary setting—without, as she says, “losing its scent.” Aragaki Mutsumi is both a guardian of her roots and a bold experimenter.

Joel Illerhag is a Danish-Swedish double bassist, composer, and instrument maker, known for his groundbreaking approach to improvisation and sound art. He is based in Helsingør, Denmark.

Illerhag is the creator of the unique Swedish Harp Bass – a double bass equipped with 39 sympathetic strings and electromagnets, producing a dreamy, spacious sound. The instrument has gained international attention and was featured as “Bass of the Week” by No Treble.

Makiko Hirabayashi is a Japanese pianist and composer, based in Copenhagen since 1990. She has received wide critical acclaim as a personal voice on the international jazz scene since the release of her debut album as a leader in 2006. Throughout the last two dacades, she has toured extensively across Europe and Asia with her trio feat. Marilyn Mazur and Klavs Hovman, her quartet, Weavers and as a solo pianist.

Makiko was born 1966 in Tokyo, where she started playing piano at the age of 4. Spending 5 years of her formative years in Hong Kong – a cultural melting pot at the time, has had a lasting impact on her life. At age 20, she won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston. Her original intention to study film scoring quickly shifted towards improvising and composing on the piano, as she found herself immersed in the live jazz scene of Boston. Since 1990, she has been based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her multicultural background and musical diversity is reflected in her music. Elements of jazz, classical music, Far Eastern music and Nordic moods are all molded into an intriguing, compelling sound of her own.

Aragaki Mutsumi is part of Final Descent’s Artist in Residency 2025, where three Japanese musicians will visit Copenhagen Jazz Festival with solo performances and exciting new collaborations. The residency program is supported by Toyota Foundation and The Danish Arts Council.

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