Kiyoshi Yamaya

A Japanese jazz composer, band leader born in Tokyo. (March 29, 1932 - July 9, 2002) In 1953 He joined 高浜哲郎とエスカイヤ・キャッツ (Tetsurou Takahama And Eskyer Cats) and 山本広道とシャンペン・セレナード (Hiromichi Yamamoto And Champagne Serenade) and 鍋島靖起とリズムメイツ (Yasuoki Nabeshima And Rhythm Mates). In 1953 he formed his band Fine Dandies. In 1955 he renamed the band to Four Acen. Soon the band broke up and in 1957-1960 he worked as a baritone saxophone player at The Sharps and Flats. After he left the band, he provided many composes and arrangements to big bands such as The Sharps and Flats and recorded. In April 1959, he formed "Modern Jazz Three Association" with 前田憲男 (Norio Maeda) and 三保敬太郎(Keitaro Miho), which contributed to the improvement of the level of Japanese jazz composition and arrangement. In the summer of 1965, he served as a leader of the Tokyo Union for about a year. In 1965 he received Japan Record Award 's Arrangement Award.