Born in Kyoto/Japan, Yasuo Watani is one of the world´s leading chromatic harmonica soloists. He studied with Helmuth Herold at the Hohner Konservatorium Trossingen in Germany from 1984 to 1988.

He was invited to stay on as a lecturer for 14 years before he started his lecturing at Senzoku-Gakuen College of Music in year 2005.

He was the champion for both the International Harmonica Competition in the Netherlands (1988) and the 2nd World Harmonica Competition in Trossingen, Germany (1989).

With an active performing career, he has staged numerous solo concerts in many parts of the world including Germany, Japan, Hongkong, Argentina and Brazil. In addition, he has performed as a soloist with Wuerttemburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, Japan Shinsei Symphony Orchestra, Gunma Symphony Orchestra, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

His stunning Performances have been recorded both on radio and television in Germany and NHK Japan.