Ukulele Support Association’s 10th Anniversary KYAS Special Live Event Report

Ms. Yamamoto, the representative of the Ukulele Support Association (LeLeSaPo), invited me to their 10th anniversary concert. We interviewed LeLeSaPo back in 2019 as part of Sound House’s regional revitalization project, YOITOKO Project. Off I went from Narita to Tokyo!

You can check out the 2019 YOITOKO Project interview here:
YOITOKO Journey Vol.11 Miyako City, Iwate Prefecture - Start the Ukulele Movement! The Sound of Ukulele in a Fishing Town

The venue was Cotton Club in Marunouchi, Tokyo, a live restaurant for adults where you can enjoy the finest music along with delicious food and drinks.

I was captivated by the two large chandeliers and the glamorous red-themed space. Before I knew it, I had a drink and carpaccio on my table, falling under the spell of “Why not indulge?” (It was absolutely delicious.)

An hour after the doors opened, the star of the night, ukulele player KYAS, was welcomed to the stage with applause.

With a slightly emotional tone, KYAS said, “I’m so happy.” Tonight’s performance featured a three-piece band with Kotaro Hata on accordion and piano and Ryusuke Oishi, a renowned “serious tambourine player”, on tambourine.

The live show kicked off with a lively tune, “Yugure Carnival”. Naturally, the audience joined in with clapping.

The second piece, “Clover Light”, featured a beautiful and organic ensemble of ukulele and accordion. From KYAS’s hands, a flood of notes flowed from a single ukulele, creating a sound you wouldn’t expect.

KYAS was playing a tenor ukulele, which produces a lower, more powerful sound than the typical ukulele—perfect for solo performers.

“I was really nervous for the past three months. But I’m so glad I decided to go through with it.”
This performance was originally scheduled for February but was at risk of being canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After much deliberation and encouragement from many, KYAS chose to postpone instead of cancel.

“And during that time, I managed to create a new piece!”
The third piece was the lively tropical tune “TICO TICO” from KYAS’s new album Lemongrass Strummers. This Latin-flavored piece was both exotic and rhythmic. Who knew a ukulele could express such sensuality?

“There’s been so little good news, and it feels like we’ve been spending dark nights. I wanted to create something that could help people stay positive, like the color of the sky just before dawn.”
The fourth song, “Blue Night”, from the new album, was introduced along with this story.
The singing tone of the tenor ukulele, the supportive accordion, and the guiding tambourine brought a sense of hope.

“Maybe I should write the sheet music for this one too.”
Many in the audience seemed to be ukulele players, as the applause was thunderous.
KYAS sells sheet music for original songs and covers on his website, so check it out if you’re interested.

KYAS Official Website: Score

The next piece was the classic session tune, Chick Corea’s “Spain”, recorded in one take with ukulele, piano, and tambourine.

It’s Spain, not Hawaii. This wasn’t your usual laid-back ukulele vibe. The sensual sound of the tenor ukulele had a strong Latin flavor! It also had the power to stand up to the piano’s strong tones. By the way, this piece is also on the new album!

“Next, I’ll do a solo like a proper ukulele player.”
KYAS, who had just arrived from his home base in Kochi, played “Kailua Sunset”, a piece he wrote while watching the sea in Kochi. The rich sound and lingering notes from the solo ukulele washed over the audience like waves.

Then, a special guest appeared on stage!
KYAS was joined by vocalist Sacchin, from his band Song Sparrow!

“If I hadn’t started making music with her, I might never have picked up the ukulele.”
“We used to play together in tiny cafés with hardly any audience.”

With his bandmate by his side, they performed “Bloom” for the first time live.
It’s a song that was created when a local bank asked Song Sparrow to write a song a couple of years ago.

Sacchin’s clear voice, combined with the melody of the ukulele, gave this duet a different kind of presence.

The song won the Communicating Heartfelt Emotions award at a national corporate anthem contest held by Nikkei. It’s also featured in commercials in Kochi Prefecture!

“How about you, Mr. Hata?”
“It’s so much fun, and (seeing KYAS getting emotional), I got teary too...”
Kotaro Hata, switching between accordion and piano, wrapped the music in warmth.
He had performed with KYAS at a live show in Kochi five years ago, and KYAS was clearly happy to reunite on stage. He was already asking Hata about future performances while on stage!

“If I could say, Mr. Oishi!?”
“He’s actually just a regular guy.”
Tambourine player Ryusuke Oishi, despite having performed at many live shows, admitted he was nervous about the atmosphere of the venue. It was his first time performing with KYAS, but his witty banter had the audience laughing.

Ryuusuke Oishi exclusively plays the tambourine—and what a versatile tambourine player he is! With just one tambourine, he masterfully covers all the rhythm parts with astonishing technique.
At his table, there was a mixer connected to a microphone for his instrument. When I talked with him, I found out that almost all the equipment he used today was purchased from Sound House! Thank you!

The next song included Sacchin.
“This theme fits perfectly with how I’m feeling right now!”
The 8th song was the lively Japanese-Latin number “Kaze ni Naritai (I Want to Be the Wind)”, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The long tambourine solo in the middle boosted the excitement, with the audience clapping along, making it impossible to stay still!

“I’m starting to smell some good meat, so shall we go for that?”
The next song? It was the unexpected “Jingisukan”. A surprising choice for a ukulele live show, perhaps, but no one seemed to mind. The sultry Latin vibes from earlier morphed into a scene of galloping horses across the steppe, thanks to the ukulele and accordion. What an exhilarating experience!

The fact that the ukulele can mimic Mongolian string instruments depending on how it’s played is incredible. Seeing towels being waved in the air at Cotton Club was also quite the sight. By the way, this song is also on the new album!

The atmosphere shifted completely for the next song, “Komorebi Note”. This track, featuring ukulele, piano, and tambourine, had an adorable, bouncy feel. It’s the kind of piece I’d love to listen to while relaxing in a café (My notes started getting personal because I was having so much fun!)

Just as I was getting swept away by the diverse setlist,
“The next one will be the last!”
No way!! The audience, filled with love, let out a heartfelt boo, wanting more!

“It feels like time, which had stopped, has begun to move again. Thanks to all of you, I feel like I can take another step forward. I’m really grateful to everyone!”
KYAS expressed his deep appreciation to the audience. And then,
“We haven’t played that song yet!”
With the audience eagerly awaiting, the final number of the main set was “Coffee Rumba”, full of flair! The night ended in a spectacular, high-energy fever.

Answering the immediate encore calls, KYAS played the ukulele solo piece “Hidamari” with plenty of emotional depth.
Then, bringing the band back on stage,
“We’d like to finish with an upbeat song!”
A cheer of “Hell yeah!” erupted from the audience as they closed the show with the popular track “Sunnysha”.

This concert made me realize just how versatile the ukulele can be. Some of you might have picked up the ukulele during the pandemic as a fun instrument to play at home, but the ukulele you hold is capable of many different expressions and styles—it’s a truly fascinating instrument!

Watching KYAS’s live performances and videos, especially as he celebrates his 10th anniversary, might spark even more interest in the ukulele!

KYAS Official Website
Ukulele Support Association