Whenever I do a performance I always hope it is the best day of my life. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't.

Some artists just go and play, and I have no objections to that - but I don't like to do that. People take their very precious time to come to my concert, and they give me the opportunity to share two hours of their lives. I want to do the best I can, for visuals, sound and everything!

I love performing so much! The joy is to have the opportunity to be able to perform all around the world.

I started to listen to Japanese jazz musicians when I went to high school. Some people I listened to were Yosuke Yamashita, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sadao Watanabe.

I have to be very original and have a strong musical voice. I don't want to be a copycat of anybody.

Nobody wants to experience sad events but people like to listen to sad songs. That's the beauty of music.

For the piano and me it is always a blind date! I meet different pianos every single day. I can't take my piano with me like a bassist can take his instrument. So whenever I arrive I am a bit nervous to see what kind of piano is waiting for me.