MUSICIANS
Vo/Gt: Mifune Masaya
Pf/Key: Nishiike Tatsuya
Tp: Takeuchi Yuma
Tb: Otagaki Masanobu
Ba: Zak Croxall
Dr: Kudo Akira

ROTH BART BARON

ROTH BART BARON is a Japanese folk-rock band led by singer-songwriter Mifune Masaya. The band was formed and has been based in Tokyo, Japan, since 2008. The band has released four EPs and eight original albums. The 1st LP, The Ice Age, was recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Brian McTear (Kurt Vile, the War on Drugs) and mix engineer Jonathan Low (The National, Taylor Swift). The 2nd LP, Atom, was recorded at God Speed You! Black Emperor's studio, Hotel2tango, in Montreal, Canada. The 4th LP, The Name of the Beasts, was awarded the grand prize at Japan's alternative music awards, APPLE VINEGAR - Music Award - 2020. In 2021, the song BLUE SOULS by A_o, a duo of artists featuring AiNA THE END, garnered 3.7 million views on YouTube. In 2022, they composed the music and theme song for the film My Small Land, which won the Amnesty International Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival 2022. In 2023, they participated in numerous major music festivals in Japan, including the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '23. On August 4, 2024, they held BEAR NIGHT 5 at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA with a special 9-piece band, featuring guests Shiotsuka Moeka (Hitsujibungaku), Salyu, YONCE (Suchmos, Hedigan's) and Sakiyama Soushi. Notably, they also operate "PALACE" a band community of fans, and has a volunteer team that supports the band's activities by being involved in live production and box-office management. Fans themselves are also a part of the band, producing goods and providing attractions at the venue's events, actively working to create a system where they can enjoy and experience creativity together. They announced 10th Anv TOUR 2024-2025 / Ice Age: Melt and Blooms to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 1st AL THE ICE AGE.

Mifune Masaya (Vocal/Guitar)

A musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Meguro, Tokyo, Mifune Masaya formed ROTH BART BARON in 2009. Known for his unique melodies and arrangements that transcend typical Japanese music, he has garnered praise from listeners of all ages. In February 2017, Mifune performed as a special Japanese guest at CELEBRATING DAVID BOWIE JAPAN, a concert held in honor of the late David Bowie's 70th birthday. He shared the stage with Takao Tajima and Kazuya Yoshii, backed by Bowie's band members Adrian Belew and Mike Garson, and delivered a stunning rendition of All the Young Dudes.

Nishiike Tatsuya (Piano/Keyboard)

Nishiike Tatsuya is a musician, keyboardist and producer born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, on September 28, 1977. He joined ROTH BART BARON as a supporting keyboardist in 2012. Nishiike has been involved in production, recording and planning live performances for the group's projects, from their 2014 debut album THE ICE AGE to their most recent work, 8. In March 2021, he co-founded BEAR BASE Inc. with Mifune Masaya to better manage and support the band's activities, serving as a co-representative.

Takeuchi Yuma (Trumpet)

Born on April 29, 1990, in Kagoshima Prefecture, Takeuchi Yuma discovered jazz through the Yoshida Pop's Orchestra. After graduating from Fukuoka Institute of Technology Jyoto High School, he moved to Tokyo to pursue a professional music career, where he studied under Cuban trumpeter Luis Valle and formed a style that blends the vibrant energy of Latin music with delicate and refined tones. Takeuchi has been highly praised for his sabor (flavorful) and expressive playing and is now based in and around Tokyo, where he performs Latin music—such as Cuban, Brazilian and Mariachi—as well as supports ROTH BART BARON. He is active in a wide range of genres including rock and jazz, and his activities span live performances, commercials, anime, film, game soundtracks, CD recordings and supporting various artists. Some of the bands Takeuchi plays with include ROTH BART BARON, Saitamigos, Banda Mandacarinho, Eric Fukusaki, Septeto Oriente and I.y.a. He has also shared the stage with Akira Fuse, Masahiko Kondo, Hiromi Go, Fukuyama Masaharu, Momoiro Clover Z, RADWIMPS, The Gospellers, MONO, The Novembers, WONK, ZUTOMAYO and Ryu Matsuyama. He is a regular member of the TOKYO CUBAN BOYS and has collaborated with international artists such as Yumuri Valle, Mayito Rivera, Karenka and The Temptations. In 2023, he released his debut album Impulso.

Otagaki Masanobu (Trombone)

Otagaki Masanobu, also known as OTG, was born on August 17, 1985, in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture. The versatile musician plays flugelhorn, guitar, bass, keyboard and percussion. OTG started his career as a trombonist around 2010 and joined ROTH BART BARON's tours and recording sessions in 2013. In 2018, he made his major debut as a member of the Gentle Forest Jazz Band. In 2020, OTG began his solo project panic spring with streaming releases. He continues collaborating with various artists on album recordings, concerts and tours, and released the first single of epice AFTERNOON in 2024.

Zak Croxall (Bass)

Born in Connecticut, USA, Zak Croxall studied under saxophonist Jimmy Greene and others at the Academy for Performing Arts in Hartford, where he was awarded the Louis Armstrong Award. After graduating, he attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts on a scholarship, majoring in electric bass and earning a degree in Music Synthesis. After college, Zak moved to New York and became known as a bassist to look out for with exceptional skill and groove. He is actively collaborating with musicians across a wide range of genres and has built a career that includes a European tour with Polish jazz pianist Rafal Rokicki and tours across the U.S. and Asia with Japanese pianist Manami Morita.

Kudo Akira (Drums)

Beginning his music career as a teenager, Kudo Akira has performed extensively in Japan, as well as in Asia and Europe. Since 2020, Kudo has focused on supporting ROTH BART BARON while collaborating with cutting-edge, jazz-influenced musicians like Ryo Konishi and Takuya Kuroda, who stand at the forefront of the contemporary music scene.

SET LIST
GOKUSAI I G L(S)
KAZE
Aka to Ao (Red and Blue)
Happy
Kemono no Namae (The Name of the Beast)
HO TO OH (Feng and Huang)