Contents
Introduction
This time, I’d like to introduce the Jug Band that I actually play in.
Our band is called Jugland Sunny Boys.
In this article, I’d like to introduce our members, our music, and share photos and videos from our performance at the Matsumoto City Arts, Culture, and Music Festival in December 2025.
Unfortunately, our harmonica player couldn’t join us that day because of other commitments, so only four members appear in the photos and video.
Jugland Sunny Boys
Our band’s name is Jugland Sunny Boys.
The name was chosen by our band leader, who plays washboard and sings.
To be honest, I’ve never asked him why he chose that name, but I think it sounds cheerful, friendly, and fits our music very well.
Maybe I should finally ask him!
Meet the Members
Here’s a backstage photo taken before our performance.
I’m still not used to having my picture taken, so I think I look a little awkward!
From left to right:
- Wataru Abe – Washboard & Vocals, bandleader
- Mizuki Fuyama (Me) – Guitar
- Yutaka Iwashita – Mandolin, Banjo & Vocals
- Toshi-san – Upright Bass
About Wataru Abe
Wataru is also an active drummer who performs with several bands, including Moon Night Circus.
He’s always organizing concerts and bringing musicians together, so his energy really keeps our band moving.
Besides music, he’s also a big fan of Super Yo-Yo.
At one of our concerts last year, he surprised everyone by performing a yo-yo solo instead of a washboard solo.
Believe it or not, that became the biggest highlight of the entire show!
About Yutaka Iwashita
Yutaka owns Iwashita Mandolins & Guitars, a workshop in Kiyosato, Yamanashi prefecture.
He builds beautiful handmade mandolins and is also an experienced bluegrass musician.
The mandolin he usually plays was built by himself, and it sounds wonderful.
His arranging ideas and musical experience always help our band.
About Toshi-san
Toshi-san joined our band last year.
He’s become fascinated with the wash bass.
When we visited the Yokohama Jug Festival together, he spent a long time watching wash bass players and asking questions such as,
“What material do they use for the strings?”
Sometimes I wonder if he’s secretly planning to build one himself!
Since he joined us, our sound has become much fuller.
About Ted Kato
Although he doesn’t appear in these photos, our harmonica player is Ted Kato.
He’s based in Yamanashi prefecture and has been busy recently because of changes in his personal life.
I hope we’ll be able to perform together again soon.
About Me
Recently, I’ve reduced the number of bands I’m involved with so I can focus on this Jug Band and on recording music.
One thing I’ve really come to enjoy is the rhythm and ensemble playing that make Jug Band music so unique.
I’ve also started learning the washboard myself.As a guitarist, learning the washboard has given me a new perspective on rhythm and ensemble playing.I’ve also been experimenting with different sounds using an ukulele bass and various recording ideas.
Our band is made up of musicians from both Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures, so it’s a bit of a regional collaboration.
Live at the Matsumoto City Arts, Culture, and Music Festival
Last December, we had the opportunity to perform at the Matsumoto City Arts, Culture, and Music Festival in Nagano prefecture.
The video below features two songs:
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- Jingle Bells
While you’re watching, pay attention to the interaction between the washboard, mandolin, guitar, and upright bass.
You’ll also hear our band leader, Wataru suddenly call me “Mizukichi,” my nickname.
That completely caught me off guard, and you can probably tell I couldn’t help laughing!
We performed a total of eight songs that day.
Set List
- Tomorrow (Carl Scott and Eddie Thomas)
- You Are My Sunshine
- On the Road Again (Willie Nelson)
- You’ve Got a Friend in Me
- East Tennessee Blues
- After You’ve Gone
- When the Saints Go Marching In
- Jingle Bells (Encore)
We actually rehearsed Jingle Bells together for the first time backstage just before the concert.
Hopefully we’ll perform it even better this coming Christmas.
Here are a few more photos from the festival, taken by a friend of mine.
Upcoming Live Shows
Our current schedule is:
- September 21 (Tentative) – King Flat (Yamanashi prefecture)
- October 3 – Oktoberfest (Ina City, Nagano prefecture)
- October 25 – Mizube Marche (Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture)
- November 3 – Matsumoto Citizens Festival (Matsumoto city, Nagano prefecture)
I’m especially looking forward to performing at King Flat because it will be our first time there.
I’m also excited about Oktoberfest.
The organizer is an American who used to be my English teacher.
He had invited us several times before, but our schedules never matched.
This year, we’re finally able to perform there.
Because of his wide network of friends, people from many different countries attend the festival, which makes it a very enjoyable event.
Final Thoughts
Jug Band music is still quite rare in Japan.
Through our performances, I hope more people will discover how much fun this style of American roots music can be.
I’ll continue sharing our live performances, activities, and musical journey here on this blog.
If you’re ever in Japan when we’re performing, we’d love to see you at one of our shows!