Sheila E’s first Blue Note Tokyo performance in 11 years.

A couple who are close friends of ours—nearly three generations younger—had arranged tickets for us months ago and invited us along. It had been a while since Shiozawa had seen them. Joined by their music-loving friends, an unprecedented group headed to the Blue Note.

The box seats at the front of the stage offer an unbeatable view. We’d had quite a bit of shochu in Minami-Aoyama before coming, but at Blue Note, you just can’t help but order wine.

Sheila E.’s unit “SHEILA E. & THE-TRAIN” featured Lynn Mapley as vocalist, performed songs highlighted the drumming stood out with three synthesizers, bass, guitar. I was expecting Latin music, but it’s more like funk and technical fusion tracks. Anyway, Sheila E.’s drumming is incredibly powerful and just plain cool.

At Prince’s production of “The Glamorous Life,” the entire audience rose to their feet, and we were swept up in the moment.

Sheena E invited performers from the audience to join in, and we thoroughly enjoyed her uniquely entertaining performances.

Ah, music really is wonderful!