Last weekend, I had the pleasure of performing at the Sakura Town JAZZ Stage in Tokorozawa as part of the Takaaki Maeda Quintet.
This was a two-day outdoor event, but unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate on the first day. Only two bands were able to perform before the rain forced the event to be cancelled.
Since the stage had no roof, it was the right decision to protect the instruments and equipment, but we were still disappointed — especially knowing that some audience members had come specifically to hear our set and join the jam session. Hopefully, we’ll get another chance soon!
Day two, however, greeted us with a perfectly clear sky and crisp, refreshing air — a true jazz day.
Thanks to the promotional efforts of Kadokawa Shoten and the event team, there was already a large crowd waiting before we even started, which immediately put us at ease.
With such a fantastic group of four musicians by my side, I think we were able to deliver a powerful set focused on swing jazz.
One of my personal highlights was getting to share the joy of New Orleans jazz with the audience.
We played Bourbon Street Parade — a tune that many in the crowd probably hadn’t heard before — and the response was amazing!
I’m still new to the New Orleans style myself, but I’m determined to keep practicing and get closer to the sound I have in mind.
From the stage, I could see families sitting on the grass, passersby stopping to listen, and kids dancing along to the beat — such a refreshing experience compared to a typical jazz club setting.
After the show, we received so many kind words from the audience, and I felt truly grateful to have had the chance to perform there.
A huge thank-you to the staff who organized and ran the event, and to everyone who came to listen.
Here’s hoping for clear skies next time so we can share the music with you from day one — and we’ll be working hard to make our next performance even better!
