Scholarship recipients supported by the Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry Nippon Music Foundation performed at Sapporo City Jazz on August 31st, performing as the opening act for the North Jam Session.

The Foundation was established in 2013 by Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry in partnership with the Recording Arts of America. It provides support to students at Japan's national music universities through scholarships and opportunities to participate in international exchange programs.

This year, drummer Takato Kitai and pianist Yoko Suzuki were selected as scholarship recipients. The two participated in the Grammy Camp held in Los Angeles in July, where they focused on composing while taking master classes from renowned artists. They also visited recording studios and participated in workshops, spending valuable time with young musicians from around the world.

Sapporo City Jazz is a jazz festival featuring artists active both in Japan and abroad, and the North Jam Session is one of its programs. The performance featured Herbie Hancock, a master of American jazz and 14-time Grammy Award winner. The day before the concert, Hancock gave a masterclass, where the two musicians received lessons alongside last year's scholarship recipients Takumi Nakayama (alto saxophone), Beni Ishikawa (double bass), and Jun Umegai (tenor saxophone) before performing on stage.

On the day of the performance, the five performed a jam session on the outdoor stage, seating approximately 4,000 people. Their youthful and talented freestyle performance livened up the opening of the event.

Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry will continue to support the development of young musicians through this fund.