JELISA & Kan Sano - I Don't Want To Leave

This intimate piano-driven song marks the beginning of JELISA’s upcoming EP, recorded during her first creative journey through Tokyo. Written and recorded at the legendary Freedom Studio Infinity studios, in the heart of Shinjuku, the track was born from an instant musical chemistry between JELISA and pianist/producer Kan Sano.

Blending soulful vocals with Kan Sano’s signature expressive piano work, the single is minimal yet emotionally charged reflection on distance, connection, and quiet transformation. It echoes the influence of artists like Cleo Sol, Jordan Rakei, and Hiatus Kaiyote, while remaining rooted in a uniquely Tokyo atmosphere.

The track introduces a wider EP project that highlights JELISA’s deepening bond with Japan’s independent music scene, with additional collaborations from Ovall, Osamu Fukuzawa, and Leo Kono The project navigates themes of growth, experiences, and a creative journey, woven through cross-cultural dialogue and organic studio sessions.

With early support in both Japan and the Netherlands, this first single invites listeners into the emotional and sonic world of one of Europe’s most exciting new voices.

I Don’t Wanna Leave is a soulful blend of indie, R&B, jazz, and pop, created in Tokyo with Kan Sano at the end of a transformative trip. It reflects the warmth of meaningful encounters and lessons learned an experience that stays with you, carried beyond the place where it began

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アムステルダムを拠点とするネオ・ソウルアーティストのJELISAと、日本のシーンで確固たる存在感を示すアーティスト、Kan Sanoがタッグを組み、ソウルフルな新曲「I Don’t Wanna Leave」をリリース。この曲は、JELISAが最近東京を訪れた際に録音されたもので、R&B、ジャズ、ソウルを融合させた繊細なバラードとして展開される。誠実で映画的で、静かな感情に満ちた作品。JELISAの豊かで親密なボーカルが、Kan Sanoの signature ピアノラインの上に優しく漂い、新鮮でありながら時代を超えたサウンドスケープを創造した。このコラボレーションは、二人のアーティストの共有するビジョンから生まれた：JELISAが脆弱性をメロディに変える能力と、Kan Sanoが感情をハーモニーと空間に反映させる才能。

その結果生まれた曲は、意味のある瞬間が終わってほしくないという感情を捉えたもので、手放すことと手放さないことの間で揺れ動く心情を表現している。「I Don’t Wanna Leave」は、JELISAが日本滞在の最後に書き下ろし、録音された曲で、その過程で得たつながり、感情、教訓を反映している。この曲は長く心に残り、終わってもなお、あなたを追い続けるような曲だ。

Pitching Brief / Press Release

English

Press Release - Jelisa & Kan Sano - I Don't Want To Leave (ENG).pdf

日本語

Press Release - Jelisa & Kan Sano - I Don't Want To Leave (JPN).pdf

Statistics

JELISA (NL)

Over 2 million total streams across platforms
Supported by BBC 1Xtra, Operator, and Dutch national radio NPO 3FM Soul&Jazz
Featured on editorial playlists like:

Next Wave Soul (Spotify)

Café Chillout (Spotify)

New Music Friday (Spotify)

ESNS Noorderslag (Apple Music)
Had her first sold-out showcase at Baroom Tokyo, with support from Osamu Fukuzawa
Collaborations with Kan Sano, Ovall, Osamu Fukuzawa, Leo Kono, and others on her upcoming EP [EP Name]
Performed and showcased at ESNS 2025 (Groningen, NL) and the Super-Sonic Jam at Paradiso (Amsterdam, NL)