L'automne à New York! Making some music in Dumbo Brooklyn with me Trevor James Black Alto Flute:)

It was one of those ‘click’ moments. That’s a fair opportunity that comes around to everyone once or twice – or more perhaps. This is an evidence of my click moment, “Soshu Yakyoku” performed in Kitano New York back in 2011. On that night, I have convinced to record this beautiful song and I did. Hope this music will help you to cool down a bit from heat wave...

"On October 30th Frank passed away at the age of 91. He left a great legacy to the world of jazz. He touched so many people and made wonderful friends all over the world. Gratefully, Sara Tsutsumi - Wess"  http://frankwess.org

Thank you, Frank. Rest in peace.

Mayu

"Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future." by the 14th Dalai Lama

It is sometime very difficult to forgive people who hurt me.
But I always try to think they did not mean that way.
We never know the truth.

Things change, come and go. People leave, even people that we love.
Then reasons will stay.

That's what I have been learning these days.

I like the wisdom ”不言実行” (action before words).
Just one action says more than a hundred words.

I took two days off in Washington D.C. this weekend.
This picture taken from the Arlington National Cemetery.
Many thoughts as one of a Japanese who lives in USA.
Specially since my grand parents were atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima.

We all have right to live a beautiful life.
                                                      

I think of the days I spent with my grandfather who died many years ago.

Zen attitude was in the daily lives since I was a little girl.
He was a very devout Buddhist, and was very strict with my sister and I.
”Join your hands in prayer every day before you go to bed", he used to say.

Living in this big apple, sometimes we lose our own-self in busyness.
But I still believe that we can be our own-self with pure feelings wherever we are, at anytime.

Being honest to my feelings and trusting myself.
This thought has left me thinking a lot these days.

The show at An Die Musik (Baltimore, MD) last weekend was one of my greatest music experiences.

I met a very special lady there this time. An amazing bass player named Errica Poindexter who performing in MD and DC area. Her beautiful spirit made me so happy.

I was walking around downtown Baltimore before the show.  The plane was drawing a white contrail in the sky which was just beautiful like a watercolor painting.

I will be back to there on Aug 17th, to play in a duo setting with Michael Gary young, a talented guitar player. I am looking forward to this.

It's not the season of cherry blossoms, but I wanted to share this beautiful photo that is very close to my heart.

A dear friend of mine emailed me this photo shortly
after I moved to New York City from Tokyo 4 years ago.

2 days before I left Japan, we saw each other to say good-bye.
I remember sharing my mixed emotions about moving
- tremendous amount of excitement and secret fear of uncertainty, as we walked through beautiful cherry trees which were in the early stages of blooming. Few weeks later, my friend emailed me to say, "the cherry blossoms that we saw together came into bloom!" And the photo had been attached.

<There are moments someone thinks of me> - knowing that made me feel safe during my new york life that had just started..

Well, 4 years later, I spent my Christmas with Chico Hamilton and his family.
"You are our family, Mayu." - their love and support mean so much to me.

I also felt loved during Christmas by my lovely students with cards, gifts, hugs and a lot of kisses.

The last few days of 2012 was spent with my dear friends.
So happy to see their smile, to know that they were in good health and happiness.

Then on January 1st 2013, I was invited to a wonderful new years day party at a home of such a beautiful family.They all were very warm and peaceful with love, and I felt most welcomed.

To be looked after by someone..
To look after someone..

To all of you that are close to my heart,
To all of you that I have yet to meet,
I wish 2013 will be full of happiness and love.

A lot of love,

Mayu

Summer-end, melancholy feeling. At the same time, I'm really excited about the coming show with legendary Chico Hamilton at Ginny's supper club in NYC. I am honored to be part of his wonderful music.

Can't believe that it's already September, time flies.

Looking back on this summer, had such a productive time. Gigs in DC and Baltimore, met awesome musicians there. Of course gigs in NYC with wonderful musicians. Rehearsals with Chico and Euphoria's members every week. Also composed a few songs for my recording that I have been preparing. Talking about great things this summer, I may add that I am working with many students which makes me happy to know that many kids love music.

Well, I can't say that music is the only thing in my life. But I can definitely say that music  helps me to make sense of my life.  This I know is absolutely true.