We recently connected with Sen Yoshimura and have shared our conversation below.

Sen , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy being a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what would be like to have a regular job?

Yes, I am genuinely happy being an artist, specifically as a musician. I sometimes imagine what would be like to have a regular job. It is true that there are indeed a lot of enticing jobs that have even inspired me. However, I always come back to the realization that being a musician is the most fitting occupation for me.

Musician is a very unique job, and it is even privilege because not everyone can have enough environment to pursue music. One of the special characteristics of music is that, as musicians, we are trying to tell our own intensions to others without uttering a word. Of course, it is still acceptable for audiences would to interpret the music differently than I initially intended.
But it is very challenging and valuable to share it because there’s an inherent honor in being a part of an experience where people are moved by the music.

Another intriguing aspect I’ve discovered is that music serves as a representation of myself. My sound, intonation, phrases, composition, and all the nuanced details serve as expressions of who I am, establishing a profound connection between myself and the music. As I strive to enhance my abilities as both a musician and a human being, my music also sees improvement. Conversely, music have me improved as well. This is why I find happiness in being a musician although there are a lot of amazing and important job in this world.

Sen , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began playing the saxophone when I was six years old and have been participating in the Berklee College of Music tied-up special music seminar, “Hokkaido Groove Camp,” every year since 2011. Since then, it has been my dream to study at Berklee College of Music. After attending the Berklee five-week summer program, I was awarded a full scholarship to enroll in Berklee. I have had many wonderful experiences there and have had the opportunity to meet a lot of my musical heroes. Currently, I am part of the prestigious institute for performer’s education called the “Berklee Global Jazz Institute,” directed by the worldwide pianist Danilo Perez. I am grateful for the chance to meet a great number of considerate and talented friends from various musical fields.

Thanks to everyone’s support, I released my first single, “A Year Later,” in May 2023. My latest single, titled “Same Destination,” featuring Grammy-awarded pianist Luis Perdomo (Miguel Zenon and Charlie Haden) and Grammy-awarded drummer Mark Walker (Paquito D’Rivera and Oregon), is set to be released in January 2024. There are a lot of music that I love and inspired me from different genre such as jazz, fusion, classical, Latin, Rock, and so on. With tremendous support from great musicians and staff, I have been able to blend these diverse elements of inspiration to create a new sound.

In the beginning of the year of 2024, a lot of difficult issues arose including a big earthquake in Japan and conflicts around the world. Despite these severe issues, even though some of which I may not fully comprehend at this time, I want to remind people that our Earth is beautiful. I hope that my music can contribute to this appreciation.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For one thing, even if I could produce excellent sound in a band or master high-level techniques, it wouldn’t have any meaning if it weren’t shared with an audience. So, my reward comes when they have a good time with my music. I dedicate myself to intense practice, contemplation on composition, and many other aspects. It’s not easy, involving stress and struggle, but music is only completed when shared with audiences or listeners. There are various types of audiences: some attend my show every single time, some of them are first time to see, or some of them might not even pay much attention to music. However, if my music can contribute to making their day or lives better, I am so grateful.

Some years ago, an audience member approached me and said, “Tears came to my eyes by music for the first time.” I felt deeply honored and grateful to receive such a message, inspiring me to create more of these meaningful experiences. Every time I see people smile after a show, it brings me genuine happiness.

Another aspect to consider is that no one can replicate exactly what I do, given the nature of music. Each person has different voice, making everyone irreplaceable. This is also a great beauty, making it both rewarding and a significant responsibility.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

In a previous interview, I discussed several books and movies that have inspired me. This time, as a performer and composer, I want to introduce a painting which I first met five years ago. The painting is called “Harmony” painted by Chie Harada. It is on display at the Instrument Museum in Hamamatsu, one of the most famous cities in Japan for music.

This artwork is capturing attention with its huge size and presence within the space. The painting depicts diverse people from around the world, each immersed in playing their unique traditional instruments, forming a huge ensemble. I thought that is the best manner of future music that people share music recognizing their own traditional, and enjoy others as well beyond the border. In my own musical compositions and performances, I try to incorporate not only Japanese influences but also draw from various countries, genres, and musical features even though it depends on the tune. I sometimes wonder that integrating different musical elements without an understanding of one’s own traditional roots or those from other cultures may result in disorganized music. However, if the music is coming from deep understanding and a strong sense of idea, it can be a new creative art like the painting “Harmony.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sen.yoshimura1?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sen.yoshimura.98?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Ber89r4oXWZQ917S-czCA

Image Credits
Akira Tanisugi