Jazz music is a universal language. Transcending differences and bridging divides – popular worldwide, by young and old, rich and poor - propelled by the very beat of life - still evolving and attracting new enthusiasts. Jazz music is a common bond bringing together all of the people, bridging ideological differences into a common bond of easy enjoyment and brotherhood. Hawaii is an ideal place to host these Jazz Peace Concerts. The beautiful island is perfect for our local musicians to create an upbeat atmosphere, continuing our mission of universal peace through the Jazz Peace Concerts. We hope that you will join us in promoting peace - and enjoy the Jazz.

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The concept of the Jazz Peace Concert was inspired by the Pearl Harbor commemoration ceremony experiences that are held by the United States Department of the Interior and the United States National Park service at Pearl Harbor every year. I have been dedicated to the group and served as their spokeswoman - communicating with the National park service, the U.S. Navy Public Affairs office and the Marine Corp of Hawaii public affairs office to enable the Japanese group to attend each ceremony smoothly. I also delivered the prayer for peace for the Peace delegates from the Japan Religious Committee for World Federation Hawaii for 20 years.

Our group used to watch a short movie at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center every year after the ceremony finished before proceeding to their boarding on a VIP boat to the memorial. The scene that stood out to me, took place on the Saturday night before the attack, when Pearl Harbor was peaceful and the young sailors were having fun dancing to Jazz music on their ships. The young sailors had no idea what was to come the next day. They lost their lives the next morning.

I have two sons and one daughter. The scene made me very emotional and was always on my mind. So several years later, I decided to create the Jazz Peace Concert in honor of those sailors. The concert is now over ten years old: this is not just a concert to commemorate World War II but it was created so that many people, young and old of any ethnicity, can appreciate and be happy listening to the music. Since it started, I’ve noticed that the Jazz Peace concert has had great influence on the community. Young people, who have never seen live performers with instruments or even listened to the sound of Jazz music are fascinated and decide to study Jazz because they were inspired by our concerts. Occasionally we even have students from the University of Hawaii music department participate in our shows where they play Jazz songs from the 1940’s.

Even young generations are fascinated by the tunes from the past. Jazz music comes alive in a live performance. I believe that Jazz is an international language. There is no music like Jazz which continues to influence music all over the World. In many countries, in their hotel lobbies and restaurants, people can hear the soft sound of Jazz music. Even Hawaiian music is greatly influenced by Jazz. I heard that Jazz first came to Japan and was introduced by wealthy Japanese people returning from the US right after the American Civil War. Jazz was introduced by the US military band to Japan in 1920 in Kobe. Even before Enka was created. I understand that Hawaiian music became greatly promoted and supported in Japan. But Jazz is America’s original form of music. I would like to promote Jazz to keep it alive for a long time. The Jazz Peace Concert appeals to young and old, rich and poor. My goal is make our community peaceful and happy through Jazz Music.

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