This show is eligible for a Jazz Membership discount of 15%. Find out more about PIJF Membership! 

Co-presented by The Japan Foundation, celebrating 50 Years of Australia-Japan friendship. 

Masayuki Hirano, better known as BIGYUKI - is a ground-breaking songwriter and virtuoso keyboard player who blends jazz, soul, hip-hop and electronica to create a sound that’s wholly his own - often energetic and electrifying, always at the cutting edge and packed with groove. Alongside releasing his own inimitable music, BIGYUKI is highly sought-after as a performer and collaborator by the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Kamasi Washington and Lauryn Hill, Meshell Ndegeocello, Robert Glasper and Snarky Puppy.

He’s also played with the rappers Bilal & Q-Tip; had a two-month stint with Jon Batiste’s band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; worked and toured with José James and Antonio Sánchez; and recorded with Kassa Overall. As a solo artist, BIGYUKI’s albums, including Reaching for Chameleon and Neon Chapter, have received critical acclaim for pushing the boundaries of instrumental music. He continues to headline major festivals worldwide, acting as a sonic architect who bridges the gap between tradition and the futuristic soundscapes of tomorrow. He just released his single Yamaste, new album to be released in Autumn 2026.

“I made my name as a session player in New York, where I was known for keeping my feet in every genre that I love,” he explains. “My own music is a collage, but it definitely has a groove. I want my music to stimulate your mind and move your lower body.”

Join BIGYUKI (keys), Randy Runyon (guitar), and Jharis Yokley (drums) for a night to remember.

Join the Club or become a Jazz Messenger! 

Are you a lover of jazz? Have you come to our festivals before and want to experience more? By joining the Jazz Club, or becoming a Jazz Messenger, you reap the rewards AND get that fuzzy feeling of helping a worthy not-for-profit festival. Amongst many benefits, you also receive 15% off tickets to select jazz festival gigs plus other great benefits! Please visit this webpage to become a member! 

Club Sessions with Jon Hunt's Blue Devils

Keep the music going at our Late Night Sessions! Simply present a ticket* from any 2026 Perth International Jazz Festival event and enjoy FREE entry to the sessions at the Liberty Theatre from 9pm on 28, 29 and 30 October. Featuring the swinging sounds, all the way from Melbourne, of Jon Hunt's Blue Devils, it's the perfect place to unwind, connect, and soak up more festival vibes late into the night.

*Valid with any purchased Perth International Jazz Festival ticket. Excludes free event tickets.