A night spent at a live music venue in Yokosuka, captivated by the young talent of the Chigusa Award winners.

I'm completely immersed in jazz again tonight.
File.8 Yokosuka Younger Than Yesterday
Mayuko Niimura (Jazz Cafe Chigusa)

The Chigusa Award was established to discover outstanding young jazz musicians. A competition is held each year, and the winner is given the opportunity to produce an LP and a CD as a prize.
This year, the sixth time the award has been given, it was won by Jun Miyawaki (26), a clarinetist from Yokosuka City.
At first glance, he seems like a cute, modern young man, but once he starts playing, a passionate, bouncy energy bursts forth. Just when you're taken aback, a mellow, lustrous tone captivates the listener's heart and won't let go.
He certainly has the technique, but his deep emotions seem to shine through in his music, and the contrast with his laid-back demeanor is really appealing. It's no wonder he already has so many fans.
After the LP and CD are produced, a release concert is held every year. Usually, it is held only once in the area around Yokohama Noge, but this time, since the winner is from Yokosuka City, the concert was also held at Younger Than Yesterday (commonly known as YTY), a live spot with which he has a connection.
Since opening in September 2001, YTY has been a hub of Yokosuka culture, a space where you can enjoy a variety of live performances across genres. In its spacious venue, a renovated former movie theater with over 100 seats, you can not only comfortably enjoy live music but also savor drinks and food.

Many live music venues can feel enclosed and claustrophobic due to soundproofing issues. However, YTY, located on the fourth floor of a building with a nostalgic exterior and formerly a movie theater, boasts an open and airy lobby space. You can comfortably spend the time before the live performance begins.
The retro and stylish interior, which retains the atmosphere of the Showa era, is irresistible to those who appreciate that style.

The owner is Shigeru Sasaki, born and raised in Yokosuka. And, surprisingly, he's a practicing dentist!
During Sasaki's childhood, America still had a conscription system, and among the U.S. military personnel stationed in Yokosuka were cultural figures and musicians. It was in Yokosuka that he was exposed to authentic American music, and that's how he himself entered the world of music.
The reason YTY was opened was that the building owner, an old acquaintance, consulted him about repurposing the former movie theater site. He accepted the offer because he wanted to create a place where music could gather. He named it "Younger Than Yesterday" to signify staying young at heart no matter your age. Currently, many prominent musicians perform there, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is one of Yokosuka's leading live music venues.

The band members for this record release live show are young, ranging from their 20s to early 30s, but they harmonize wonderfully with the retro, Yokosuka-inspired space, making it simply "cool!" Their talent and skill are immediately apparent upon hearing them live, and combined with the atmosphere of YTY, it resulted in a truly unique live performance.

Although we've entered the Reiwa era, if you want to fully immerse yourself in the ska culture that has been passed down from the Showa era, you should definitely visit YTY.

*Click here for the YTY live schedule >> http://www.yty-jp.com/index.html

* Jun Miyawaki's album "SCENERY" is now on sale!
Official website