Jay Gregg, a resident of Kyoto since 1980, starts each day with a "bowl of matcha and a few tunes." The music drifts through his living space, across his Kano School art collection, and brings back memories of his banjo-strumming university days at Colorado State.
Gregg observes his 30-plus years in Kyoto through the lens of Irish music in Japan. When he first arrived, according to Gregg, "there was no Irish music scene in Japan. Most of my work in music was with the banjo."
Today, Gregg asserts, "the Irish music scene in Japan is stronger than even parts of America. There are so many talented Japanese musicians playing Irish music. Every weekend in Kyoto there are live music and jam sessions throughout all the Irish pubs — at least 10 thriving clubs."