Seisen Singer Spreads Her Name in the Tokyo Jazz Scene

I realise now that music is a vital part of my life and I feel alive every time I engage in jazz performance and composition. 

Artist Introduction:

Rena Kenmoku Grade 12

Artistic passion: 

Jazz performance
Composition
Film scoring

How old were you when you started?

I started composing music when I was in 10th grade for a school project, and I started performing jazz last year during the summer. 

How did you start and become interested in your art?

I have always been interested in music since I was a child, but I only realised recently that I was capable of composing pieces. I realise now that music is a vital part of my life and I feel alive every time I engage in jazz performance and composition. 

How long have you been engaging in your art?

Since I was a child

How often do you practice, and where?

I practice performing at jam sessions outside of school, and I practice at least once a week. 

What type of events are you involved with?

I host jam sessions and also perform as a vocalist at jazz bars. 

How successful have you been?

I think I would say I've been pretty successful in spreading my name in the Tokyo jazz scene, especially at my age. 

What challenges have you faced?

There haven't been many challenges yet, but I would say having to decide if I was going to choose music as my career was a challenge. 

Please share some words of advice for budding artists:

I believe that our mission in life as human beings is to be able to express every emotion we feel. I am only passionate about jazz because I believe it is an art form in which people can truly express human emotions. Music should be something that you laugh, bleed, and breathe out. So when you compose it should sound like a reflection of yourself, be original, and don't let anybody influence you to do otherwise.