[PIA Corporation] NATE SMITH FEATURING MICHAEL LEAGUE AND JAMES FRANCIES to be held!
Pia Co., Ltd. Press release: October 3, 2025 NATE SMITH FEATURING MICHAEL LEAGUE AND JAMES FRANCIES will be held! The world’s greatest groove master, Nate Smith, has arrived! “NATE SMITH FEATURING MICHAEL LEAGUE AND JAMES FRANCIES” will be held at UNiT Daikanyama in Tokyo on Monday, December 8, 2025.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/11710/3754/11710-3754-ff888ab813cede7d8d5ab3a882129df1-1800×2700.jpg
Nate Smith is known for his collaborations with Pat Metheny, Chris Potter, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and his playing, which effortlessly crosses the boundaries of jazz, neo-soul, and R&B, never fails to captivate audiences. This time, he’ll be joined by a stellar lineup: Michael League, leader and bassist of Snarky Puppy, and James Francies, a young pianist garnering attention for his stunning technique and sensitivity, to present a superb ensemble! The venue will be UNiT in Daikanyama, Tokyo. This will be a rare opportunity for Nate Smith to play at a live music venue, delivering a stage immersed in cutting-edge jazz grooves. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind session that effortlessly transcends musical boundaries! Tickets will go on pre-sale at Pia from 6:00 PM on Friday, October 3, 2025. For ticket details, please see the URL below.
https://w.pia.jp/t/natesmith/ NATE SMITH A Grammy-nominated drummer, composer, and producer, he is a multi-talented musician who represents the contemporary music scene. Originally from Virginia, USA, he performed with Betty Carter at the age of 20 and toured the world with Dave Holland’s band. In 2008, he began performing solo and with his own band, KINFOLK. In 2017, he was nominated for two Grammy Awards for his album “KINFOLK: Postcards from Everywhere.” He has performed with a wide range of artists, including Pat Metheny, Norah Jones, Childish Gambino, Jon Batiste, and Vlfpeck. He has appeared on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine and is a member of the house band for “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” In his latest album, “LIVE-ACTION,” he features a diverse range of guests, but he sticks to analog equipment and live performances to create a warm, unifying sound. With his unique philosophy and creativity, he is one of the most notable musicians today. MICHAEL LEAGUE Michael League is the founder of the multiple Grammy Award-winning jazz collective Snarky Puppy, and an internationally active artist as a bassist, composer, and producer. Born in California in 1984, he formed Snarky Puppy in 2004 after dropping out of Berklee College of Music. His innovative sound, which blends jazz, funk, soul, and world music, has garnered attention and support from music fans worldwide. JAMES FRANCIES American jazz pianist and composer. Familiar with a wide range of music, from classical to gospel, he began his professional career in his teens. He has shared the stage with many virtuoso musicians, including Chris Potter, Robert Glasper, Pat Metheny, and Chick Corea. In 2018, he released his debut album, “Flight,” on the prestigious Blue Note label. His unique style, which fuses diverse elements such as R&B and hip-hop with contemporary jazz as its core, has captivated listeners of all generations.
■Performance Details 【Performance Title】NATE SMITH FEATURING MICHAEL LEAGUE AND JAMES FRANCIES (Nate Smith Featuring Michael League and James Frances) 【Date】Monday, December 8th, 2025 Doors open at 6:00 PM Show starts at 6:30 PM (planned) 【Venue】Daikanyama UNIiT (1-34-17 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) 【Performers】 Nate Smith Band members: Michael League (bass), James Frances (piano) ※Opening act (planned) 【Ticket Price】 All standing: 12,000 yen *One drink included – All prices include tax. – Preschool children are not permitted to enter. 【Ticket Sales Date】Ticket Pia ・Fastest advance sale (lottery advance sale) October 3rd (Friday) 2025 18:00 ~ October 13th (Monday) 23:59 ・First pre-reservation (lottery advance sale) October 16th (Thursday) 2025 11:00 ~ October 22nd (Wednesday) 23:59 ・Second pre-reservation (lottery advance sale) October 24th (Friday) 2025 10:00 ~ October 30th (Thursday) 23:59 【Ticket Sales Office】
