YASUNORI “PON-CHAN” SUZUKI - guitar
MAKOTO “KUJIRA” SAITO - bass
KAZUMI IKENAGA - drums
"Pon-chan is one of my oldest friends in Japan. I haven't heard such beautiful guitar sound in a long time." — Jim Hall (renowned jazz guitarist)
<From the Producer's Notes>
Yasunori "Pon-chan" Suzuki (July 13, 1929 - March 30, 2009):
His Guitar Gently Whispers
I believe that music is ephemeral, but its moments are crucial. However, I never imagined that I would be so captivated by a guitarist after hearing just the sound of tuning at a live house in Ibaraki, where I had been half-forced to go. Could there be a more constructive and positively destructive "music"? How much emotion, how much life, was poured into just one note? The ideal yet magical and unrealistic "sound," where multiple conflicting elements clash yet coexist harmoniously, each asserting itself while contributing to the whole. How the emotions that surged and exploded deep within his chest were so refined and sublimated through Pon-san's fingers, naturally becoming part of the moment. This was also reflected in Pon-san's very presence. The live performance ended in pure bliss.
After many trips to Ibaraki to persuade Pon-san to record, the studio album "Love and Respect" was completed. Four months after the recording, a live recording session for this album took place at "Something," a famous jazz venue in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, near Katsuta Station, Pon-san's home ground. Fans who had "discovered" Pon-san years earlier gathered. Just as a shop with delicious sweets or handmade bread becomes famous through word of mouth, Pon-san's music spread naturally, becoming beloved and ingrained in the local community. When you wanted to hear him, you could just go to "Something." No need to label it jazz; it was simply wonderful music that existed as it should. They loved him madly.
On the day of the live recording, Pon-san chose the songs to be played, and all the songs he performed were those he wanted to play. Except for his original blues, all the songs were vocal numbers, so-called jazz standards. When he said he chose songs based only on their melody and didn't care about the lyrics, it was probably Pon-san's way of being modest. After all, they were all love songs.
Supporting Pon-san with a solid bassline was Makoto "Kujira" Saito, whose solos were endlessly melodic, and on drums was Kazumi Ikenaga, whose flexible yet strong and delicate sound was as beautiful as gentle rain. Together with these two wonderful supporters, they created this recording.
At the time of this live performance, Pon-san was 74 years old. In contrast to the studio album, which involves delving deeply into his inner self, during this live performance, Pon-san seemed to be speaking directly to each listener. "How are you living? How will you live from now on? Are you truly doing what you should be doing?" The most important things are never shouted loudly; they are whispered softly in your ear.
On March 30, 2009, he ascended at the age of 79. Even now, he must be playing his guitar above the clouds.
* "Pon-san" is a respectful nickname for Yasunori "Pon-chan" Suzuki. It is more polite than "Pon-chan."
<Yasunori "Pon-chan" Suzuki: A Brief Biography>
Yasunori "Pon-chan" Suzuki was born in 1929 in Takanawa, Tokyo. His love for the guitar began in high school, when he impressed his friends by playing a difficult chord on a challenging guitar. This sparked a lifelong passion for the instrument.
Pon-chan joined a Hawaiian band and later performed at U.S. military camps, where he gradually transitioned to jazz, captivated by the freedom of playing solos. He formed various bands, including a notable trio with renowned pianist Senri Sakurai, and played at the night club "Cosmopolitan" in Tokyo.
In 1967, Pon-chan had a fateful encounter with jazz guitarist Jim Hall, who was impressed by Pon-chan's playing and their friendship lasted a lifetime. Despite a successful career, Pon-chan left Tokyo at 41 to raise his children, moving to Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki, where he continued teaching and performing jazz.
A dedicated jazz guitar instructor, Pon-chan influenced many guitarists with his refined teaching methods. He remained active in the local music scene and maintained close ties with fellow musicians. In his seventies, he finally released his first leader album, a culmination of his lifelong dedication to music. The following year, in 2004, he did a live recording, which was released as a live album.
Pon-chan passed away in 2009 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of warm, unembellished playing that reflected his gentle personality.
