Michiyo Yagi Double Trio

If traditional Japanese music can be insufferably staid at times, the same can't be said of koto player Michiyo Yagi. Though she studied under many classical masters of the instrument, Yagi branched out into the world of contemporary improv during a stint in the USA, and she's become adept at juggling the demands of both worlds. Double Trio is one of her many groups, so named because it features two bassists and drummers apiece. Yagi herself lends vocals as well as playing on both 21- and 17-string koto, while the music lurches from free jazz to modern classical to prog rock.