I'm truly honored to have been invited to write the liner notes for "Persona 5 Special Big Band Concert 2025"!
This incredible project features members of The 8-Bit Big Band, led by Grammy Award-winning arranger Charlie Rosen, alongside some of Japan's finest musicians, including Eric Miyashiro and Eijiro Nakagawa, as well as many other outstanding artists from around the world.
One of the reasons Any Inc. invited me to contribute was their desire to share the appeal of this album not only with Persona fans, but also with jazz lovers and music enthusiasts in general. As someone who has long been passionate about both video game music and jazz—while actively performing in the world of big band and swing—I was deeply honored that they believed I could present this project not just as game music, but as a remarkable musical work in its own right. In my liner notes, I wrote about the brilliance of Shoji Meguro's compositions, the creativity and sophistication of Charlie Rosen's big band arrangements, and the outstanding performances by the incredible musicians involved, all from the perspective of a jazz musician and music enthusiast.
Yesterday, I also had the privilege of attending the concert at Pacifico Yokohama. The performance was absolutely phenomenal, and after the concert I had the opportunity to meet Charlie Rosen and many of the wonderful musicians from Japan and abroad—and even take a few photos together! It was an unforgettable and truly inspiring experience.
Being involved in this project through the liner notes was already a great honor, but having the chance to experience the live performance and meet the artists who brought this music to life made it even more special. It is an experience I will never forget.
I sincerely hope that this album will be enjoyed not only by fans of video game music, but also by anyone who appreciates jazz, big band music, and great musicianship. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Any Inc. and everyone involved in making this amazing project possible. I hope many people will enjoy both the music and the liner notes, and discover the incredible artistry behind this wonderful album.
