One-Night-Only Original Production: Jeff Mills’ Vision of the Future of “The Phoenix”

The Future of “The Phoenix” as Envisioned by Jeff Mills

Jeff Mills is a pioneer of “Detroit techno,” considered the origin of modern electronic music. In recent years, he has actively pursued collaborations not only in music but also in contemporary art, and was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by France.

Pianist Hiromi Uehara made her global debut in 2003 with *Another Mind*. She won a Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Jazz Album” in 2011 and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. In 2023, she won the “Best Music” award at the 47th Japan Academy Film Awards for the film *BLUE GIANT*.

Koto player LEO has garnered attention for his genre-defying, borderless activities. He began playing the koto at age 9 and, at 16, became the youngest recipient ever to win the Grand Prize and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the Kumamoto National Traditional Music Competition. He subsequently enrolled at the Tokyo University of the Arts.

The three artists have commented on this performance as follows.

“The phase transitions of the environment and Osamu Tezuka’s seemingly whimsical imagery are precisely the best way for us humans to express it. Just like the story in ‘Future Chapter,’ there are certainly elements there that point toward hope.” (Jeff Mills)

“I’m really looking forward to the universe that Jeff Mills, myself, and koto player LEO will create within the world of ‘The Phoenix.’ I want to capture the essence of that moment—something that can only be born in that instant—while taking in the atmosphere of the new art museum.” (Hiromi Uehara)

“I am very much looking forward to hearing how the sound of the koto resonates within the grand soundscape created by Jeff Mills. It is an honor to weave the story of ‘The Phoenix’ through sound on the same stage as Hiromi Uehara” (LEO)