Day 17: Japan Album Release Tour JINSEI 2024 – Soprano Heaven and High-End Venue, The Moment

February 6, 2025

This morning, Johan and I planned to visit Ginza in search of a Yamaha soprano saxophone he wanted to buy. We met at Ueno Station Starbucks around 10 AM and took the Ginza Line, to visit the Yamaha store.

Ginza is a renowned upscale district in Tokyo, home to luxury boutiques, department stores, fine dining, and cafés. I played there in 2018 at a club called No Bird, but today I was simply accompanying Johan and testing some soprano saxophones. Even the subway station reflected the area’s high-end nature, and as we emerged, we found ourselves on Ginza’s main street, which was car-free for the afternoon. It was a great opportunity for some touristy selfies.

The Yamaha store was well-organized, and the saxophone department had an impressive selection. A staff member guided us to an isolated booth where we could test instruments freely. We both tried several sopranos while I used my own mouthpiece, reeds were provided by the store. After some time, we decided to take a break and think it over, heading out for lunch. Johan had a sushi spot in mind, so we took the train to Asakusa. The sushi was phenomenal—definitely a step up from the many places we had already explored on this tour.

After lunch, Johan continued his saxophone hunt as the model he was after was not in stock at the Ginza store, while I returned to my hotel to rest and prepare for our final show of the tour. That night, we would perform as a quintet with Yuki and me on horns at The Moment, an exceptional venue.

At 4:30 PM, I met Shunichi Yanagi at Takadanobaba Station, and we traveled together to the club. The Moment is one of the finest venues I’ve ever played—built with meticulous attention to both audience comfort and acoustic excellence. Though intimate in size, the space is perfectly designed for live music. Its walls are lined with vinyl records, and the bar boasts an extensive drink selection.

Just before rehearsal, pianist Yukako Yamano stopped by to say hello. We’ve only played together once, but we always try to meet when I’m in Japan. She had a gig nearby but still made time to buy an album of mine and even brought cookies for the band—so sweet! Soon after, my friend John Hepburn arrived. We first met during my 2016 tour when I played JZ Brat in Tokyo, a club located below the Microsoft building where he worked at the time. He’s been a great supporter, helping me in many ways to bring this second album to life.

After soundcheck, we relaxed in a nearby apartment, arranged as a dressing room by Gaku-san. The venue was sold out, and Johan messaged me that he had arrived with his Japanese date. At 7:30 PM sharp, we kicked off the first set in a packed room, and the band was on fire. Being the last gig of the tour, everyone gave it their all, making the night truly special.

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As the night wound down and the last train approached, I said my goodbyes to Gaku and Kunpei. Together with Yuki, Yanagi, and Kazuhiro—who had been filming all night—we boarded the train. Along the route, I parted ways with Shunichi and Yuki. Although Yuki could only join for three shows on this tour, I was very happy to have him as part of it. We connect so well—hardly needing to talk about music, just feeling it together.

Saying goodbye to Shunichi felt different—he had been with me for most of this tour, sharing the stage night after night, pushing the music to new heights with his fearless playing. Beyond the music, he had been a constant presence, whether on the road as my tour guide, during late-night train rides, or in deep conversations about music and life. His spirit, always open and free, had become an essential part of this journey.

As we exchanged a few final words, there was no need for anything grand—just a simple nod of understanding, knowing that the music had already said it all.

Arriving back at my hotel in Otsuka, I went straight to bed. The next day would be one of rest and preparation—a visit with Johan at Ueno Park, some shopping with Kazuhiro, and, in general, a chance to breathe before the long trip home. But as I lay there, I couldn’t help but reflect on the connections made, the music shared, and the moments that had turned this tour into something unforgettable.