MB Gallery Quartet Live (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
When I walk in Mihama American Village, somehow, the shopping area reminds me of Hip Hop music. The lively neighborhood is home to many street fashion brands as well as rap and dance performances on the street. But taking a walk for only a couple of minutes, I tend to play a different kind of tune in my head.
MB Gallery Chatan is a luxury hotel where visitors can immerse themselves in such an atmosphere, especially on the weekend. Located in the northern part of the Mihama District of Chatan, the hotel exudes a chic mood and every Saturday, the lounge becomes a jazz band venue.
“We mostly play standard numbers, but we would also perform music from Disney Shows for kids in the audience,” said Ryuichiro Okazaki, Band Master and saxophonist of MB Gallery Quartet. Okazaki said the band’s sets showcase a variety of jazz styles like Bossa Nova and funk depending on the audience mood.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
In addition to Okazaki on the sax, the quartet features bassist Hideki Takao, drummer Ryunosuke Taba and pianist Kenta Ogawa. The experienced musicians have also performed at on-base events and MC their shows in both Japanese and English.
For the band and for jazz performance, audience participation is essential.
“In jazz, only the beginning and the end are previously determined. What’s in between is ad lib, which is made through communication and collaboration with the audience. That’s why we would like folks to come and enjoy our performance,” said Ogawa, the pianist.
As I watched them preparing to start their show, I was expecting some calm and calm tune.
Once they hit the first note, however, I was blown away by the energy of the sound. The numbers they played such as “Wave,” “I’ll close my eyes” and “My Father’s Clock” sounded very familiar. According to a description posted in front of the piano, the instrument is “Yamaha G2B”, which was designed by Antonin Raymond, an architect form Czech, who learned under Frank Lloyd Wright. The sound of the rare instrument impressed even a layman like me.
As I looked around, the lobby’s sofas, many of which had been vacant before the performance started, were soon filled with guests.
Although earlier the drummer said that their performance could be taken as background music, it was obvious that, on this day, the guests were there for the music. Some were enjoying drinks and music, while others were mesmerized by the sounds of the quartet, their travel bags set aside.
When each number ended, applause filled the lounge. As the band performed one number after another, the late afternoon sunlight wrapped the band and their audience, adding to the mood.
Being adorned with artistic objects and drawings, the lounge even took on the semblance of a jazz club. When the live performance concluded at 6:30 p.m., I was ready to go outside to enjoy the sunset, with the jazzy beats lingering on my mind.
Things to know
Location: MB Gallery Chatan by THE TERRACE HOTELS
GPS coordinates: 26.320361, 127.754326
- One drink minimum. The menu items include soft drinks like iced tea (550 yen, approx. $3.41), blended coffee (620 yen), pineapple juice (550 yen), original craft beer (lager, 1,250 yen), non-alcoholic beer (700 yen), wine by glass (1,200 yen) and more. Food menu also available.
- The jazz quartet has two performances on Saturdays at 5:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. for 45 minutes each.
- Guests from outside as well as hotel guests are welcome to the live performance.
- Parking space available at the hotel.
After the jazz live, I took a 5-minute walk and headed to a harbor right by Chatan Harbor Brewery and Restaurant, for a sunset cruise.
The restaurant’s terrace seats were already crowded with customers for dinner. In the evening sun, the waterfront area was shining in gold.
Lucky for me, the sky looked perfect on that day. Although the end of rainy season was not yet declared on the island, the clear sky made me forget about the heavy rains that pounded the area just several days earlier. As I got onboard a catamaran boat, naturally my expectations soared.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)
With the sunset expected around 7:30 p.m., the boat departed shortly past 7 p.m. I headed to the second deck, where couples and families were already waiting for the departure.
As we moved away from the shore to the boat’s left, the sun came out from behind buildings bathing American Village’s buildings in a gilded hue.
The boat was going slow and the water was peaceful. As it came close to the horizon, the sun rendered the sea and boat in an even more saturated orange.
Just watching the sun slowly go down, feeling breeze on my face with a bottle of water in my hand, put me in a romantic state of mind.
Sometime after the sun touched the sea, the boat turned around and began heading back.
It felt a little sad to learn that magical hour was coming to an end. But looking at American Village beginning to radiate in the twilight and the crowd waiving at us from shore put me in good spirts.
The boat was back at the pier around 7:40 p.m. With fireworks scheduled to go off near the pier at 8 p.m., staying in the neighborhood little longer sounded like a great option. On that day, however, I had an appointment with my family. So, I reluctantly headed home before the fireworks display started.
Though my night ended early, the party was just starting at American Village. I left with a plan for my next weekend outing in this lively area to start with some jazzy riffs and a stunning sunset again soon.
Things to know
Boarding point: (26.321645, 127.754567)
Fee: 4,200 yen for adults, 2,100 yen for children aged 6 years and above. Free for 5 years old and below.
- Customers/passengers can purchase original craft beer (650 yen) and soft drinks (330 yen) onboard.
- For inquiries and reservations, Contact Chatan Harbor Brewery & Restaurant at 098-926-1118 between 2 and 9 p.m. The Cruising Department is reachable by direct lines between 9 and 5 p.m. Language support is available at 080-8379-6059 (English) and 080-8379-6060 (Japanese)
- This sunset cruise is available every day as long as weather and sea conditions allow.
- Boat Charter is available for destinations in the seas near the Kerama Islands.
