Our Love to Stay

Our Love to Stay was formed in 1997 in Osaka by Fuming and AYA, but it was only in 1999, when the duo moved their activities to Tokyo and recruited Tamotsu, that their luck started to change. Although not much is known about the period between their formation and their official debut, it can be safely assumed that the group grew in popularity both within Osaka and Tokyo.

That said, it was in 2004 that Our Love to Stay accepted the invitation to join Warner Music Japan and, in January, released their first self-titled mini-album. Only a matter of months later, the group released their first maxi-single. Haru gained relative popularity through its use as the April theme song for the CBC radio program "Issho ni utao!". As a result of its airplay, Our Love to Stay gained speculative curiosity and almost certainly some new fans.

September saw the group taking their talents to Sendai and performing at the Jozenji Street Jazz Festival, which is renowned for being one of the world's largest music festivals, with over 500 bands from around Japan gathering together and performing on the streets. In December, Our Love to Stay released their second mini-album, Happiness.

The following year remained relatively quiet for the group, with the only notable activities for the year being an appearance in Osaka and Tokyo for the promotion of Mercian Corporation's new line of wine, PIAT D'OR. 2006 saw a steady increase in activity with Our Love to Stay beginning February on a positive note by performing at an FM Event held at the Nagoya Blue Note. The Blue Note, a prominent jazz club, which was originally piloted in New York, was a notable choice of venue for the group as it is the world's only franchised or licensed network of jazz clubs.

March saw Our Love to Stay holding their first one-man live at Shibuya 7th Floor and appearing at events sponsored by NHK, Japan's premier television network provider. May saw a return to Shibuya 7th Floor along with a performance at the Takatsuki Jazz Street Festival in Osaka and MUSIC DAY in Akihabara.

A couple of months later, Our Love to Stay held another one-man live at Akasaka's Bb (B Flat), an exclusive jazz club supported by YOSSY BIGBAND.
August and September saw Our Love to Stay performing at Yokohama thumbs up as well as the Tokyo Jazz event and the Sendai Jozenji Street Jazz Festival.

December offered an exciting new challenge for the group. Our Love to Stay embarked on their first full-length tour, visiting Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka, Hamamatsu and Yokohama. The group, who had participated in an NHK event before, took part in their New Year's Eve celebration at Shibuya DE Kouhaku.

2007 was another jam packed year for the group. January started the band performing regularly at a jazz restaurant, Tribeca, based in Shinagawa. The band also held their Our Love no HAPPY NEW YEAR PARTY! at Yokohama thumbs up.

February saw Our Love to Stay debuting at the Roppongi O-Knight, where they held their "Our Love no Valentine" performance. In April they returned to Roppongi O-Knight, where they performed alongside the Kadowaki Daisuke Quartet.

During the summer, Our Love to Stay participated in various events, the first being the 16th Hamamatsu Jazz Week and performances at Osaka Royal Horse with YOSSY BIGBAND WEST. The group featured at the Honmoku Jazz Festival and also performed at the Atami fireworks rally. Telepatia, which was released in August, was the band's first full-length album since their debut.

Sadly, in 2008, Our Love to Stay announced that they would be halting activities following the release of their last album, Our love is here to stay, in April. Following almost a decade of performing, Our Love to Stay has established themselves as one of the most notable acts of '50s swing jazz and reminded us that older music styles need not be forgotten. Although they will conclude activities shortly, they will surely be remembered as wonders of the jazz world.