Japanese composer and saxophonist. Ryo Noda, also Ryō Noda, born in Amagasaki, Japan, in 1948, has been hailed throughout the Western hemisphere for his perfect control, powerful avant-garde improvisations and innovative playing techniques. While he is a leading exponent of new Japanese music for the saxophone, his repertoire also includes Western music of the baroque, classical, and romantic periods. Noda was graduated from the Osaka College of Music as a saxophonist.