Fujii Kaze: Tiny Desk Concerts JAPAN

Suraya Mohamed | April 12, 2024
In the corner of a busy office at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, a staffer rearranged books, vinyl records and tchotchkes on a bright red shelving unit. The production crew double-checked equipment settings and made small adjustments to the lighting. Another worker added a few more posters to the tall white file cabinets. Cameras were set and microphones were ready because Fujii Kaze and his band had just rehearsed the night before. Everyone in the room — including a few of us from NPR that were there to help — was eager and excited because the very first performance for Tiny Desk Concerts JAPAN was about to start.

Popular around the world, the talented Fujii Kaze is a Japanese singer and pianist known for his sultry R&B grooves and catchy songwriting. His adventurous spirit was strong as he settled into the Tiny Desk way — a concert that's intimate, mostly acoustic and recorded without reverb, effects, in-ear monitors or wedges. During the rehearsal, the band quickly acclimated to the environment and adjusted instrument volumes to hear each other better. The end result was a beautiful 30 minute set, captured without pause and with no stops, restarts or retakes.

This video is part of the second international version of Tiny Desk, a joint venture between NPR and The Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) — the sole public media organization in Japan that is operated with the purpose of providing the latest news, education and culture both domestically and internationally. This new series will spotlight emerging and established Japanese artists with the same engaged performances, look and feel of the original Tiny Desk Concerts series.

SET LIST
"Matsuri"
"Garden"
"damn"
"Kirari"
"Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing)"
"Shinunoga E-Wa"

MUSICIANS
Fujii Kaze: lead vocals, keys
Yaffle: keys
DURAN: guitar
Katsuya Takumi: bass
Kudo Seiya: drums
Yo-Sea: vocals
nishina: vocals

CREDITS

NHK / NHK ENTERPRISES:
Executive Producer: Shibasaki Tetsuya, Kamano Mizuho
Producer: Ozawa Hiroshi
Director: Ito Misato, Kikuchi Minako
Camera: Ishigaki Motomu
Lighting: Ichikawa Takaho
Sound: Sato Yosuke
Designer: Yamaguchi Takashi
Editor: Morozumi Yuka

NPR Music:
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Lead Video Producer: Maia Stern
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Desk Team: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
Senior Director of Partnership Development: Gordon Synn
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #fujiikaze

[wbetand]

Just want to open this video for the background music, but I ended up watched and enjoyed a whole 29 minutes live performance. He sings with his voice, body, and soul. I immediately became a fan. = )

[Melissarouge]

I haven’t really listened to this artist before, this made me download his every song

[iananthony]

his music is refreshing, been a J-Pop fan for years & I could say his songwriting is unique, his style captures, jazz, r&b & funk, Japan should consider him a national treasure in music/arts

[Projectix_]

Just discovered this man now from this video and I am happy that I did. His music is so soothing and warming.

[tinydancernyc]

watching tiny desk from my tiny phone in my tiny room but the world suddenly feels endless🌟

[rosalbaespinozabahamonde]

Congratulation Fujii Kaze ...is the first time i see and hear about your music .. you are so great .. I am now your new fan from Lima Perù in Southamerica. kisses

[NoraRoussel-fbbd]

Oh wow I’m hooked… just love his positive energy… his beautiful smile…awesome/amazing vocals…beautiful melody/ lyrics… the band….just refreshing 🙏🥰🇨🇦 merci ❤️🎼🎵

[error_]

I used to watch his covers back in the day 😭 I loved his, “How Deep is Your Love, ” and, “Plastic Love, ” cover. So crazy he became so successful. So so much deserved

[akashi]

Listening on this for the 6th time. His charisma is way more above than the other artists. Love how he introduce his band

[mitchiegabriel]

Why is he singing so happily? He seems to express the joy of his soul in music with his whole body.

[Just.a.girl__]

Omg 2024 is gonna be best year because i found this live🥹💞🌅

[Boshru-nvm]

You can tell he loves his music and feels every note.

[itsme]

He finally graced NPR ... The world should know how amazing he is

[bobbipotter]

With a beautiful heart, lovely hands and the voice of an angel I only wish I could have found him sooner so I could love him longer...I'm a 70 year old American woman who has experienced decades of wonderful music and I have to say Fujii Kaze is by far the best I have ever heard and I fully expect when I die to hear his voice in my ears

[音色-zj]

すべてが最高。
すべてが完璧だった。
藤井風さんは世界中で聴かれなければならないミュージシャン。

[mariannelee]

been a fan since his piano cover days on yt, got disconnected with the world for a while then one day saw his name on a famous tiktok song so i thought wait-- is this the same guy that i've been watching on yt before? and boom he's now blessing so much more people with his talent! i cant believe this guy's artistry i swear he's on a whole different level and im just glad many are starting to appreciate this really wonderful being named Fuji Kaze. <3

[notacooldudewithanattitude]

Perfect blend of Jazz, Funk and City Pop.

Edit: May I just add, those RNB/Slow Jams beats is a reminiscent of mid 2000's vibe. Thanks for the likes guys!

[stonks]

I can't even count the number of times I have listened to this. Please make more like this

[lover-lj]

So lucky that I discovered Fujii Kaze's music few months ago. Listening to his music everyday since then. His live performance is awesome! Big fan!! 💗💗

[tagacale]

dude's vibe is like sakura flowers blowing in the wind on a nice sunny April skies.