A native of Osaka, Japan, Yasuyuki "Yaz" Takagi came to New York City in 1992, forming the Yaz Band in 2002. The band is a four-piece group, which plays classic R&B songs by well-known artists, such as Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind & Fire; and Marvin Gaye, as well as the band’s original instrumental tunes influenced by such artists as Grover Washington, Jr., Maceo Parker, and The Crusaders. In addition to their live public performances with the MTA MUSIC program, the Yaz Band has been featured on Subway Idol, numerous cable TV programs, live on WBAI FM, and at Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors Festival.