Conducter and experimental music composer Norman Yamada sometimes participated himself in new music ensemble performances, contributing with organ and shortwave radio. The Harvard graduate has been commissioned by the AGON Orchestra, has worked with Bang On a Can Allstars, and has served as prompter for John Zorn's Cobra project. By Being and Time's release on Tzadik in 1998, Yamada had appeared on five recordings, including a Young Nashvillians release on Kattywampus, and Construction and Demolition on Avant. At the close of the '90s, Yamada lived with his family in NYC, and had already worked with pianist Anthony Coleman, Soul Coughing's Mark DeGliAntoni, David Soldier, guitarist Marc Ribot to name just a few.