Japan tour 2018, day 8

As the sun rose over Tokyo, I kicked off my day with my daily caffeine fix. I discovered a cozy café near Baba Station, with hot coffee and lightning-fast Wi-Fi. The day was mine for the taking, as the jazz club I was set to perform at that evening was not gonna be a long car drive. Exploring the streets of Tokyo was always a thrilling experience, with its vibrant advertisements, stylishly dressed locals, and endless dining options. I made it a point to stop by electronics stores and record shops to see what was new and exciting.
As a seasoned traveler to Japan, I find myself drawn to this enigmatic country time and time again. Despite my previous visits, there is still much about Japan that remains a mystery to me. However, I can feel the peace and respect that permeates the air, making me feel at home in this foreign land.
One thing I have learned is that the Japanese people take pride in their traditions and are always seeking to improve and refine them. Whether it’s through art, food, language, music, or lifestyle, you can see their efforts everywhere you look. It is a philosophy that I deeply admire and strive to embody in my own life.
As a jazz musician, Japan holds a special place in my heart. With its rich musical culture, there is no shortage of venues to play in. From intimate private clubs to larger stages, the audience is diverse, but they all share a love for jazz. The next performance I was set to play was at a new venue, one that was not named in Latin characters, but the guys in my band had nicknamed it Salt Peanuts. Upon arriving, I finally understood the reasoning behind the name. It was an exciting adventure, and I couldn’t wait to play my music for the eager crowd.
As the sun began to dip behind the horizon, Satoshi pulled up to my hotel to pick me up. Our journey to the venue took us an hour, but I was eager to get to the Salt Peanuts club, where I was set to perform. I quickly stepped out of the car and made my way to the entrance, my instrument in hand.
Descending down a narrow stairway, I finally reached the club. The atmosphere was lively and the tables were scattered with – you guessed it – salt peanuts. The main wall was adorned with a breathtaking painting that added to the ambiance of the venue.
When I arrived, I was greeted by the other performers and my old friend, Yuki Nakae. I’ve always been a fan of Yuki’s sax playing – he has an incredible technical ability and is constantly evolving and finding his own unique sound. Just as we were about to start rehearsing, I realized that I had forgotten my sax strap back at the hotel. Shunichi quickly made a call to a friend who lived nearby and was able to borrow one for the night.
With the strap in hand, we began a quick run-through of the songs we would be playing as a quintet that evening. Performing with Yuki was effortless – our sounds blended together seamlessly. It was also great to catch up with Sanae Imakiire, whom I had met at the Jarasum Jazz Festival while on tour with Yuichiro’s band. The 3 photos in this post were taken by her.
The concert was an outstanding success, with the band giving a dazzling performance and Yuki playing with unmatched intensity. Salt Peanuts is a fantastic club, and the owner was kind enough to provide me with a special Dutch beer. After the show, I had the pleasure of meeting a fan who brought my first album, Joris Posthumus Quartet, for me to sign.
Satoshi and I left the club and made a pit stop for late-night ramen at the same fish tank restaurant we visited upon our arrival in Tokyo. Satoshi kindly invited me to try a special dish, claiming it would be good for my health. The dish consisted of raw cow meat, belly, and liver. After this appetizer, we indulged in some delicious ramen, which was the best I’ve had so far.
Satoshi dropped me off at the hotel, and before going to bed, I made some video calls to people back in Holland. The next day, the complete band was set to perform at Studio Wuu in Kashiwa.