Rena, the up-and-coming Gen Z ukulele player, will be holding a live concert to celebrate her 19th birthday on Sunday, September 29th!

Rena was crowned the Junior World Ukulele Champion and made her major debut in 2022 with Nippon Columbia as a Gen Z female ukulele player.

Rena, who has released two digital singles and has been active in live performances and on social media, including appearing at the Hibiya Music Festival in June and Ukulele Picnic in Yokohama on Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8th, will be holding a leader live performance at Com.cafe Otozo on Sunday, September 29th.

This is her first birthday concert in two years. A luxurious dream trio session will be held with the support of the world-renowned jazz pianist Saki Ozawa and the percussionist Kakuei of OAU.

The fresh sound of the 19-year-old is combined with the groove of a veteran to create a new kind of “ukulele jazz.”

Rena is a young ukulele player who specializes in a variety of extraordinary playing techniques that go beyond the conventional wisdom of the ukulele, and continues to challenge herself with new things to overturn the fixed idea that “ukulele = Hawaiian.” This is a must-see performance.

On the day of the concert, the latest original key chains designed by Rena herself will also be on sale.

Be sure to check it out.

Comment from Rena

Hello everyone.

I’m Rena, a ukulele player.

We are delighted to be able to hold “rena 19th anniversary UKULELE JAZZ LIVE”.

We will be welcoming globally acclaimed jazz pianist Saki Ozawa and OAU percussionist Kakuei to bring you a hot jazz session!

https://youtu.be/qPTbEXre2Ok?feature=shared

rena 19th anniversary UKULELE JAZZ LIVE

Cast:

Rena (ukulele)https://columbia.jp/artist-info/rena/

Saki Ozawa (pf)https://ozawasaki.com/

kakuei(perc)https://kakuei-world.com/

Date and Time:

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Doors open at 11:30

Start time: 12:00

● Venue: Com.Cafe Otokurahttps://www.otokura.jp/access.html

EL NIU B1F, 2-26-23 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0031

●Price: ¥4000 + 1 drink ¥500 (¥4500 + 1 drink ¥500 on the day)

●Reservation: Reservations can be made here↓

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1T7PM50bN8Vh5O39tFkwGSlw3ghDC3TPeOM6rCckwoM4/edit

Rena (ukulele)

A Gen Z ukulele player born in 2005.

He started playing the ukulele at the age of 8 and studied under the world ukulele champion Jazzoom Cafe.

In 2015, he won MVP at a ukulele performance contest held in Japan.

It was held in Oahu, Hawaii in 2016.

Won first place in the solo division for those under 13 years old at the 5th International Ukulele Contest.

Become the Junior World Ukulele Champion.

In 2022, they will make their major debut with Nippon Columbia.

Released the digital single series “rena – Jazz ukulele selection”.

This year, 2024, we will be performing at the Hibiya Music Festival 2024.

A talented ukulele player who has been attracting attention from various media.

Saki Ozawa (pf)

He began learning classical piano at the age of three, and at the age of 15, he played Gene Harris’ album

He was inspired by “Tribute to Count Basie” and started playing jazz piano.

He began studying under Yuki Arimasa at the age of 16 and graduated from the Jazz Course at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.

The debut album “Cheers!” will be released in June 2023 by ReBorn Wood Label.

In August of the same year, they held a successful release concert at Cotton Club Tokyo.

Jazz Festival in Antibes, southern France, July 2024

He is active around the world, appearing in Jazz à Juan and other shows.

kakuei (perc.)

He started learning piano and music at a young age.

In his teens, he encountered the Asarato and Djembe (percussion instruments native to Africa).

twist,

He aspires to pursue the world of rhythm.

More durable than the 1994 Asalato, with a stable rhythm and

PATICA in Japan, where you can take on the challenge of advanced technology

Involved in the planning, production and development of commercial products.

As a percussionist, in 2007,

Formed OAU (Overground Acoustic Underground).