The other day, I had the pleasure of performing a jazz live show at Megusta, a live bar located in Kannai, Yokohama.
It was actually my first time performing at Megusta, and also my first visit to the venue itself. I was a bit nervous walking in, but the moment I stepped inside, I couldn’t help but let out a “wow” at the beautifully refined atmosphere.
The interior had a chic and calming vibe, with a stylish flair that really felt like “Yokohama.” It was a very comfortable and cozy space. The stage was close to the audience, creating an intimate setting—what I would call the perfect jazz venue for music lovers.
What impressed me even more was the amazing acoustics. From the delicate nuances of the guitar to the rich tones of the piano, the sound was beautifully balanced, making it a real joy to perform.
For this performance, I teamed up with jazz pianist Anna Matsuoka in a duo setup.
Anna and I have played together in various combos and sessions over the years, but this was our first time performing as just a guitar-piano duo.
Since both instruments can handle melody and harmony, even from the song selection stage, we were already excited, thinking, “This is going to be fun!” (laughs)
We focused the setlist on classic swing jazz tunes—my personal favorite style to play.
Some of the highlights for me were “I’m Beginning to See the Light” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter”—both pieces I love from piano trio recordings. Anna’s phrasing and rhythmic feel were spot on, and I think the chemistry between the guitar and piano really came through.
The audience’s warm reactions and the intimate vibe of the venue made for a truly enjoyable and memorable evening.
It had been a while since I last performed with Anna, but playing together again reminded me just how much I enjoy our musical interaction.
There was a natural give-and-take in the music—something that really captures the essence of jazz improvisation.
Next time, I’m confident we’ll be able to showcase even tighter interplay, so please look forward to that!
I’m also happy to announce that we’ve already scheduled a return performance in July!
Details will be shared via my social media and official channels soon, so if you missed it this time or want to hear us again, be sure to mark your calendar.
Huge thanks to Megusta and everyone who came out to see us. I’m already looking forward to the next time we meet!
