私— PROFILE

Hello —
I'm Minami Matsui, saxophonist.

I was born in Gifu and started playing the saxophone in the third grade. My father, a motorcycle lover, had taken up the instrument himself because ‘it sounds like a bike’ — and watching him play made me want to try. Twenty years on, the saxophone and I are still together.

In high school I won a gold medal at the national marching band championship, then performed in the Disneyland Parade and the Rose Parade as part of a Japan all-star ensemble. Wanting a bigger stage, I moved to Pasadena, California, where I spent four years studying jazz, marching, and music theory, and won first place at the Reno Jazz Festival with my college big band. I studied under Satoko Nakagawa, Michiyo Kobayashi, Josh Johnson, and Hitomi Oba — and the days I spent listening to Hank Mobley and Charlie Parker became the foundation of my sound.

Back in Japan, I'm now based in Osaka, performing as a saxophonist in a year-round music show at a major theme park (winner of the top IPPA award), as well as at live venues and events.

People often tell me my alto sounds dark — almost like a tenor. That low, mellow voice is my sound. What keeps me on stage is simple: I want you to leave feeling lighter, thinking, ‘I can face tomorrow.’

For live performances, events, or lessons — I'd love to hear from you.