Music Documentary 'Immediate Family' to Be Released on June 19, Featuring Legendary Musicians Who Supported Yumi Matsutoya, Takuro Yoshida, and More

Session musicians have long been the unsung heroes behind countless hit songs. 'The Immediate Family,' a music documentary that follows the journey of these musical companions, will be released in theaters on Friday, June 19.

The film focuses on four session musicians—Danny Kortchmar (guitar), Waddy Wachtel (guitar), Leland Sklar (bass), and Russ Kunkel (drums)—who were instrumental in the recordings and tours of seminal U.S. West Coast sound artists like James Taylor, Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne. Through testimonies from various musicians and industry insiders, the documentary paints a three-dimensional portrait of the group.

Japan's 'City Pop' genre is currently experiencing a global resurgence. The sophisticated, urban sound of this genre was, in fact, also supported by the members of 'The Immediate Family.' They have participated in the works of many famous Japanese artists, contributing to numerous masterpieces. Examples include:

- Yumi Matsutoya (Yumi Arai): Leland Sklar played on 'The 14th Moon' (1976) and later on hits like 'Haru yo, Koi' (1994). - Goro Noguchi: Waddy Wachtel participated in his late 1970s LA-recorded albums and Japan tours. Leland Sklar played on 'GORO IN LOS ANGELES, U.S.A.' (1976). - Mayumi Itsuwa: Danny Kortchmar, Leland Sklar, and Russ Kunkel all played on 'Toki o Mitsumete' (1974). - Iruka: Russ Kunkel and Leland Sklar joined her 1983 Budokan live concert. - Takuro Yoshida: Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, and Russ Kunkel were part of his 1995-96 tour. - Shogo Hamada: Wachtel, Sklar, and Kunkel contributed to 'Image no Uta' (1997). - Tamio Okuda: Participated in 'The Immediate Family's' session in Japan in 2018.

During their 2018 visit to Japan, a miraculous collaboration took place with guests like Mayumi Itsuwa, Chu Kosaka, and Tamio Okuda. Their deep 'love for Japan' and connections with many Japanese musicians led to the creation of the live album 'Live In Japan.'

A special, previously unreleased clip featuring guitarist Waddy Wachtel has also arrived. He shares a heartwarming story about hearing a song with his guitar solo in a convenience store, revealing his unpretentious personality.

'Immediate Family' opens on June 19 at TOHO Cinemas Shante and other theaters. During its run, there will be three special screenings with guest speakers.

<Screening Schedule with Guest Speakers> - June 19 (Fri) 7:15 PM @ Ebisu Garden Cinema (Guests: KEIKO WALKER, Eiichiro Shirai, Mutsumi Mae) - June 20 (Sat) 12:00 PM @ TOHO Cinemas Shante (Guests: Shinji Kawahara, Masamichi Sugi) - June 26 (Fri) 8:30 PM @ TOHO Cinemas Shante (Guests: George Cockle, Junko Asahi)

For more details, please visit the official website.

【Film Information】 Japanese Title: イミディエイト ファミリー Original Title: Immediate Family Director: Denny Tedesco Runtime: 100 minutes Production: 2023 (USA) Release: June 19, 2026