Yasunao Tone: Influential Avant-Garde Composer Dies at 90

Yasunao Tone, a pivotal figure in the Fluxus movement and a renowned glitch musician, has passed away at the age of 90. His journey began in Tokyo, where he co-founded Group Ongaku and Team Random, pushing the boundaries of music and art in a post-war context characterized by experimentation and avant-garde philosophies. Transitioning to New York in the early 1970s, Tone engaged with an international community of artists, including the legendary Yoko Ono, further solidifying his impact on modern art. His early education at Chiba University, where his interests in dadaism and surrealism flourished, laid the groundwork for his rebellious approach to composition and sound art. Tone’s vision was to redefine what constituted music and art, stripping away the elitism often attached to these mediums and inviting everyone to participate in the creative process.

As a pioneer of “Anti-Music,” Tone’s work aimed to challenge the conventions that governed traditional music structures. His collaborations with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company exemplified this belief, merging performance with radical sound experimentation. In the mid-1980s, his innovative use of scratched CDs became a hallmark of his artistic identity, allowing him to exploit the imperfections of digital sound to forge a new aesthetic that resonated with the emerging electronic music scene. Albums like “Solo for Wounded” and his later projects, including AI Deviation #1 and #2, underscored his commitment to evolving art through technology, ensuring that his legacy remained relevant in an ever-changing artistic landscape. Tone’s dedication to demystifying the artistic process opened doors for a generation of artists and musicians to explore the boundaries of their own practices.

Tone’s contributions were significant not only for their artistic merit but also for their philosophical underpinnings, which emphasized accessibility and the democratization of art. He championed the idea that art should be an experience free from technical constraints, a value aligned with the core principles of Fluxus. His influence is still felt today, inspiring contemporary musicians and digital artists who continue to challenge the norms of creation and consumption. The impact of his work extends beyond mere aesthetics; it invites us to critically engage with the definitions of music, art, and digital media in our society. As we remember Yasunao Tone, we recognize a visionary who reshaped the landscape of contemporary art and music, leaving behind a rich legacy of innovation and inspiration.

Summary

Yasunao Tone, a seminal figure in avant-garde music and multimedia art, passed away at the age of 90 in New York on May 12, 2025. As a pivotal member of Japan’s Fluxus movement, Tone co-founded influential groups like Group Ongaku and Team Random, and significantly expanded his glitch music and multimedia art practices after relocating to New York in the 1970s. He was known for his radical concept of “Anti-Music,” which aimed to demystify art and music, making them accessible to everyone without requiring special training. His innovative work included the use of scratched CDs to create intentional glitches, reflecting a broader critique of digital media precision. Over his career, Tone collaborated with notable contemporaries, including Yoko Ono and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, and continued to produce progressive music and performances well into his later years, with works that explored the intersections of art, technology, and artificial intelligence.