Sketch of Blue Vol.1 United States of America Hen

[Machine Translation] A jazz journey across the U.S. in pursuit of a cartoon-like reality. A jazz journey across America in pursuit of a manga-like reality. The author was moved by the passionate and fiery figure of Dai Miyamoto, the main character of the popular manga "Blue Giant," and following in his footsteps, the editor of this book crossed the U.S. from Seattle to New York with a camera to capture the real world of jazz music. 10 cities and 10 chapters are filled with jazz music from unknown local artists to up-and-coming popular players, and from European jazz musicians on tour. The soundscapes, which include everything from unknown local artists to up-and-coming popular players and out-of-towners on tour in Europe, give the impression that you can hear the music as you turn the page. The essays in each city show how the initial intention was to make a pilgrimage to a holy place, and how this has transformed into a life's work. And, of course, the landscape of each city conveys a sense of travel. It is as if it were another story out of a comic book. This is a new kind of book that decorates the shelves of bookstores without borders in any category such as music, travel, and photography. The author, who was not asked by anyone, wandered around the U.S. for such simple reasons as just liking JAZZ and BLUE GIANT, and successfully completed the book. What an adventurous person he is to publish a book by himself in this publishing slump. This is the ultimate Jazz or Blue Giant coterie magazine. It is the ultimate Jazz or Blue Giant coterie magazine, created with excessive enthusiasm and pure attitude! There are so many cities with such a different atmosphere, and countless jazz clubs where local legends and world-traveling stars play night after night. This is a miraculous record of daily life captured by Mr. Miura, who was there. It reminded me of my own journey to the U.S. at the age of 18, when I took a great leap of faith in the name of studying at a music academy as if on a whim, relying on the piano that I had been playing since I was a small child. It would be great if I could read this book in that way and be inspired to take a step forward in my own adventure," BIGYUKI (keyboard player)

漫画のような現実を追い求めた、アメリカ横断ジャズの旅。漫画のような現実を追い求めた、アメリカ横断ジャズの旅。人気漫画『BLUE GIANT』の主人公である宮本大の熱く燃える姿に心を打たれ、彼の軌跡を追うように編著者がひとりカメラを抱えてシアトルからニューヨークまでアメリカを横断し、現実世界のジャズ鳴る景色をキャプチャーした本作。10都市分10章に、無名のローカルアーティストから新進気鋭の人気奏者、ヨーロッパから遠征中の外タレ組までこれでもかと収めたサウンドスケープは、ページをめくるごとにその演奏が聴こえてきそうな臨場感。1都市ごとに置かれたエッセイに指を止めれば、聖地巡礼を狙った当初の意図から、これがライフワークへと変貌した様子を窺い知る。そしてもちろん都市ごとのランドスケープが伝える旅情感。それはまるで、漫画から飛び出したもうひとつの物語のよう。音楽や旅、写真などいずれのカテゴリーでもボーダレスに書店の棚を飾る新感覚書籍! 「ただJAZZが好きだから、BLUE GIANTが好きだから、そんなシンプルな理由で、著者は誰に請われたわけでもなく全米を彷徨い、見事一冊の本に仕上げてしまった。しかも自ら版元となって本にするなんて、この出版不況の時代に何たる冒険家だ。これは究極のJAZZ、あるいはBLUE GIANTの同人誌だ。ただ過剰な熱意で造られた、その純粋なアティチュードにおいて」 佐藤健寿（写真家） 「アメリカやっぱでけー！！こんなに空気の違う街がいっぱいあって、無数のジャズクラブでローカルレジェンドや世界を旅するスターたちが夜な夜な演奏している。そこに居合わせた三浦さんが切り取る奇跡的な日常の記録。自分が18歳のとき、小さい頃から続けていたピアノを頼りに思いつきのように音楽大学留学という名目で大舵切って渡米したことを思い出した。そうやってこの本を読んで、自分の冒険の一歩を踏み出すきっかけになったら最高よね」BIGYUKI（キーボード奏者）