Jody’s Joyride

Imagine meeting your idol on a big stage, feeling a mix of excitement, anxiety, and nerves. That's exactly how I felt when I first had the privilege of meeting Nobuyuki Tsujii (Nobu-San) in the fall of 2022. I've been a fan of his for years, so this was a big deal for me. Even though we couldn't speak the same language, we were still able to connect through music. I played a little ukulele for him, and in return, he treated us to a mind-blowing piano performance. It was a moment of pure joy, laughter, and harmony. That's when it hit me - music truly is the universal language of mankind. It brings people together, spreads love and peace, and heals the soul. And that's exactly what Nobu-San represents. He's not just an incredible musician, but also a friend and a true ambassador of aloha, bringing the world together with every note he plays.

Fast forward to six months ago, when Honoka and I were in Tokyo for a tour. As we were strolling through the famous Shibuya Crossing, I happened to glance up and see Nobu-San on a huge billboard, starring in a commercial. In that moment, a thought crossed my mind - how amazing would it be to perform with him in Hawaii someday? Well, guess what? Dreams really do come true! Now, here we are, making history performing together at the ANA ʻAha Mele Concert at the historical Waikiki Shell in Hawaii (at the exact same spot we met a year ago).