The jazz band which is called “SAI”, formed by Suchmos keyboard player TAIHEI (Pf,Rhodes,Synth) and Yusuke Sase (Tp), Keigo Iwami (Wb), Yukino Matsuura (Drums), is simply the best. I want you to listen to it. Especially if you are a music lover. .
In the fall of 2024, SAI held LIVE in two locations, Tokyo and Kyoto.Once on stage、 the music begins to play slowly, as if an orchestra is tuning its instruments. After a while、 Matsuura’s extremely sharp drums came in at a tremendous speed, and the scenery changed in an instant. Iwami’s bass line, which creates an outstanding sense of stability and groove, and Sase’s flawless trumpet will captivate your heart. And the piano touch and melody of TAIHEI, the composer of all the songs, are endlessly beautiful and ecstatic.
When a player in the band performs a wonderful improvisation, they look at each other and burst into laughter. When it comes to points that require technique, they calmly and steadily focus on good performance. While moving back and forth between their respective techniques and sensibilities, they produce music that only SAI can play. It’s truly professional. The approximately 90-minute stage performance, in which each player played with discipline and joy, was a magical time that reminded us of the freedom we should have remembered someday.
The three guest singers who participated that day were also wonderful.
The first one is rapper Daichi Yamamoto from Kyoto. The freestyle rap was clear with a stable orchestra. Powerful and soulful.The second person is NAGAN SERVER, who is known for his woood based rappers.He gracefully melted the audience with his neutral and smooth rap. And the third one is YONCE (Suchmos・Hedigan’s). His overwhelming presence and supple singing voice united the performers and the audience nicely.
At the concert in Kyoto, even after the last song, the audience showed no sign of leaving, expecting an encore.Seeing this, TAIHEI returned to the stage by himself and improvised a solo piano performance for 4 minutes, as the band members had gone back to the dressing room. An incredibly gentle and memorable performance. I heard sobs from the customers who had been laughing happily just a moment ago.TAIHEI’s piano is pure, straight, and beautiful, and no matter what you do with it, it will move your heart.
Now, SAI’s live performance will be held at Shibuya CIRCUS TOKYO on Friday、 December 27, 2024. I will speak out twice w.If you haven’t seen a jazz band called SAI yet, please give it a listen because they are just wonderful.
Text / Photography: Kohei Adachi