Native name 阿部 薫 Associated acts New Directions Occupation(s) Musician Name Kaoru Abe | Role Singer Record label DIW Records | |
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Born May 5, 1949 ( 1949-05-05 ) Albums Aida's Call, 北 - Nord, Winter 1972, Solo 1/21/1972 Similar People Masayuki Takayanagi, Kousokuya, Fushitsusha, Takehisa Kosugi, Kan Mikami |
Kaoru Abe - Mokuyoubi No Yoru (Solo 1972.7.13) Full Album
Kaoru Abe (阿部 薫, Abe Kaoru) was an influential Japanese avant-garde alto saxophonist. Self-taught at a young age, Abe performed with notables such as Motoharu Yoshizawa, Takehisa Kosugi, Yosuke Yamashita, Derek Bailey, and Milford Graves, although he generally performed solo. He was married to the author Izumi Suzuki, and a cousin to singer Kyu Sakamoto. He was portrayed in Kōji Wakamatsu's film Endless Waltz by punk rock singer Kō Machida. He is not to be confused with the Japanese actor Kaoru Abe.
Contents
- Kaoru Abe Mokuyoubi No Yoru Solo 1972713 Full Album
- Kaoru abe well tempered alto saxophone suite pt 1
- Personal life
- Career
- Death
- References

Kaoru abe well tempered alto saxophone suite pt 1
Personal life

Abe dropped out of highschool in 1967, at 17 years of age, to focus on perfecting his playing, and in 1968, he did his first performance, at a jazz spot named Oreo. In 1970, he's met Masayuki Takayanagi. in 1971, he met Izumi Suzuki, and in 1973, they married. In 1976, they had a daughter. However, in 1977, they divorced.
Career
Abe was prolific, appearing almost every day to jazz spots and concerts. His library consists almost entirely of archival and live recordings, however he has recorded in a studio.
In his later years, Abe would begin playing different instruments. In 1976-1978 to be specific, were his years of most exploration. However there have been instances of him playing harmonica in 1970-1971. He also played bass clarinet all the way throughout his career.
Death
Abe died from Bromisoval overdose in 1978, causing a acute gastric perforation.