2026 HEADLINER
YANO ET AGATSUMA
photo by Jun Tazawa
YANO ET AGATSUMA
Pianist, singer-songwriter, and musical icon Akiko Yano celebrates the 50th anniversary of her solo debut with a special Houston performance.
One of Japan’s most distinctive and influential musicians, Yano has spent five decades creating music that moves effortlessly across genres and borders. From her groundbreaking debut album Japanese Girl, backed by Little Feat, to collaborations with Yellow Magic Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Thomas Dolby, The Chieftains, Rei Harakami, and Hiromi, Akiko’s music is full of warmth, mischief, and virtuosity.
For this performance, she reunites with Tsugaru-shamisen virtuoso Hiromitsu Agatsuma as Yano et Agatsuma, their celebrated collaboration bringing together two singular musical voices.
Yano has long drawn inspiration from Japanese musical traditions, reimagining everything from children’s songs to min’yō (Japanese folk songs) through her own unmistakable musical language. Agatsuma, one of Japan’s leading Tsugaru-shamisen artists, is equally known for pushing beyond convention while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.
Together, Yano’s expressive piano and unmistakable voice meet the thrilling sound of Agatsuma’s Tsugaru shamisen. Their music honors the traditions from which it comes while approaching them with curiosity, virtuosity, and imagination.
The result is a captivating meeting of tradition and reinvention—and a rare opportunity to experience two extraordinary Japanese artists bringing the sounds of Japan into an entirely contemporary musical conversation.
Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board
YANO ET AGATSUMA
September 12, 2026 (SAT)
8:00 PM
@Miller Outdoor Theatre
All performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE!
Reserved tickets will be available on the Miller Outdoor Theatre website starting September 11 at 10:00 AM!!