Sapporo-born saxophonist and composer Tomoaki Baba began playing saxophone aged seven. A full-scholarship student, he attended Berklee’s summer program (2007–2009) and was selected for the 2010 Berklee Jazz Workshop. In 2011, he received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he became an active sideman and bandleader, performing with artists such as Terence Blanchard, Dayna Stephens, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jamie Cullum, Sean Jones, Darren Barrett, and Louis Cole.
Since relocating to Japan in 2020, Tomoaki has been passionate about leading his own projects, releasing two albums, Story Teller and Gathering. He has also been organizing events called “BaBaBar,” collaborating with musicians from around the world, including Mark Guiliana, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, and Ben Wendel.
Tomoaki is also well-known for his performance as the saxophonist for the main character Dai Miyamoto (tenor sax) in the Japanese animated movie Blue Giant. His latest album, Electric Rider, was released in 2024.
Shota Watanabe （Guitar）
Hailing from Nagoya, pianist and composer Shota Watanabe began playing piano at four, influenced by his father, guitarist Norio Watanabe. He started composing at 14 and later studied under Donny Schwekendiek. In 2004, he began performing and joined Stereo Champ in 2016, releasing three albums. His solo career includes four leader albums: Awareness (2018), Folky Talkie (2019), Just a Tiny Music Sauce (2021) and Landed on the Moon (2023), gaining him international recognition.
Watanabe has collaborated with renowned artists such as Yuki Koyanagi, Sakura Fujiwara, Chara, and Nariaki Obukuro. In addition to performing, he arranged music for FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, which won Best Soundtrack at the 2024 Golden Joystick Awards.
Actively working in Japan and abroad, he leads multiple projects, including Shota Watanabe & Marty Holoubek Duo, Stereo Champ, Sup, and 4Aces. His versatility as a pianist, composer, and arranger continues to shape contemporary jazz and beyond.
Marty Holoubek（Bass）
Graduating in Music from the University of Adelaide and Monash University’s Graduate School of Music Research in Melbourne, Marty Holoubek is a Tokyo-based musician. He began playing bass as a teenager and gained recognition in Melbourne, performing with artists like Allan Browne, Paul Grabowsky, and James Morrison. In 2018, he moved to Tokyo, quickly rising to prominence in the Japanese music scene. He has performed across multiple genres, from jazz to indie rock, collaborating with artists such as Terumasa Hino, Jim O’Rourke, and Eiko Ishibashi, as well as bands like Musica Piccolino, Aoi Sakiyama, ROTH BART BARON, The Lagerphones, and Sex On Toast. Through his work, he continues to strengthen the connection between the music scenes of Japan and Australia. Drawing from diverse influences, Marty has crafted a unique and compelling sound. Born in Adelaide, shaped by Melbourne, and now thriving in Tokyo, his music captivates audiences around the world.
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