Released new album Midpoint Cafe
by Keisuke Kishi
February 2024
Keisuke has released a new album titled Midpoint Cafe. This album features special guest artists including Nori Naraoka (Bass / Mixing & Mastering), Andrew McGowan (Piano), Calvin Johnson (Saxophone), and Jun Sugiura (Piano).
Midpoint Cafe, Keisuke’s second album, captures the transformative journey he and his wife embarked on — a road trip from New York to California. The album reflects their encounters with the diverse landscapes and people of America.
One of the most pivotal moments came in New Mexico, where they had a heartfelt encounter with a homeless Native American man. Their conversation became a powerful inspiration for the album.
In Inside Utah, the breathtaking views of Utah and Arizona seen during the latter part of the trip are expressed through sound.
Each track explores the duality of light and darkness that exists within the American experience, drawing from both intimate human connections and vast natural beauty.
As they stood at the symbolic midpoint of Route 66, this album became a meditation on human connection and the search for meaning across the expansive American landscape.
Special Thanks by Cover photo Credits:
Midpoint Cafe and Route 66 Gift Shop
Mural Artist jetsonorama
The front cover features the iconic sign of Midpoint Cafe — a beautiful and historic stop located at the heart of Route 66.
The back cover showcases a mural by Jetsonorama, part of the Painted Desert Project in Arizona, which deeply inspired Keisuke Kishi during his journey.
Released new album Elsewhere
by Keisuke Kishi
February 2021
Keisuke has released a new album titled Elsewhere.
This album features special guest artists including Nori Naraoka (Bass / Production, Mixing & Mastering), Jun Sugiura (Piano & Keyboard), Rod Williams (Keyboard), Msafiri Zawose (Ilimba), Eishin Nose (Piano), Ben Paterson (Piano), Masaharu Shimizu (Guitar), and Calvin Johnson (Saxophone).
These artists supported Keisuke’s vision of addressing the realities of life in Hawai‘i during the pandemic, and what we must do moving forward.
This album represents our answer.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, nature remains unchanged. It continues to offer abundance, love, and peace.
The message is simple: we must live in harmony with nature, treat each other with respect, and reject violence and exploitation.
This album delivers the message that the answer is already around us.
Front cover title: Bagamoyo
Back cover title: NYC
Inside cover title: Inside Hawaii
These photos highlight the contrast between different places and people.
During the COVID crisis in 2021, once-crowded destinations like New York City and Hawai‘i stood empty, despite their usual popularity.
One of the photos was taken in Bagamoyo, a small town in Tanzania that Keisuke Kishi visited in 2016.
There, the local people shared with us lessons about life, peace, love, and happiness.
Bagamoyo serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity.
Released new album
by drizzle
2016
Keisuke Kishi and Jun Sugiura have released a new album titled Life.
This ambient jazz project is performed under the band name drizzle — a name that evokes the image of sounds drifting like mist in nature.
Just like droplets on a glass surface, their music expresses something ephemeral, dreamlike, and quietly beautiful — a world that feels both unreal and tender.
The album Life captures the simplicity of our daily lives, offering moments that feel chill, nostalgic, and deeply human.
Drums: Keisuke Kishi
Piano: Jun Sugiura