Motomu Shiiya, also known by his stage name Siiya Brown, is one of our favorite local musicians. He’s been delighting audiences in Yokohama (and beyond) for over a decade with his jazz-infused guitar sounds. If you haven’t heard him yet, there’s a wonderful opportunity to see him on an almost weekly basis in central Yokohama. But before we get to that, let us tell you a little more about him.
While Shiiya specializes in guitar, he plays multiple instruments, including mandolin, pedal steel guitar, and banjo. He attended the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Japan for two years before studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston on a scholarship.
After his return to Japan, he struggled along with odd jobs and occasional guitar teaching gigs before a fateful call from a former classmate from Senzoku. It was an invitation to provide backup guitar for Ohashi Trio (Yoshinori Ohashi). Ohashi’s own success encouraged Shiiya to pursue a solo album. That culminated in his 2011 debut release, Mr. Guitar Gentleman, which displays an impressive range of musical styles, from gypsy swing to folk and blues-inspired pop. While he had formally studied jazz, at Berklee he had been exposed to a variety of genres that he explored with great passion on his own. Those varied musical influences still characterize his music today.
More recently, he has been playing weekly gigs at Brasserie Milly La Forêt, a lovely cafe and casual French restaurant inside of Rose Hotel in Chinatown. In fact, according to president Teddy Lee (himself a guitar enthusiast), these “Friday Jazz Night Live” shows celebrate seven years this June.
The shows are as laid back as the restaurant itself, which makes them fun and intimate. There is no stage; Shiiya sets up his small amp in the middle of the restaurant and is accompanied by a fellow musician. Shiiya, as it so happens, has been the organizer during these seven years, inviting other musicians to perform with him as a duo. Many of the musicians are local and they specialize in an array of instruments—vocals as well. Recent instruments have included a steel pan, vibraphone, flute, violin, and bass. The music isn’t all jazz, either. Hana Ardie, a regular of the line-up, entertains guests with soul and R&B vocals.
The Friday shows start at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm, and run about 40 minutes. There’s no music charge or table charge. You can order a la carte from the menu, though there are three meal plans as well: ¥2500 (3 hors d’oeuvres and a drink), ¥3500 (amuse-bouche, hamburger, and a drink), and ¥7000 (a deluxe course meal with 2 drinks).
Whether it’s for a family gathering, a date, or a solo evening, Shiiya and friends will put on a good show!