Through all our years working with the Asian American community through shows, events and anything related, opportunities have had never really come up for us to directly reach out and work with the Japanese American Community. Me being half Japanese, 4th generation, i’ve always wanted to be more involved.
Recently i was able to meet with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) and the Nikkei Federation who play a huge role in keeping the JA community informed and involved…
At the meeting with the JACCC crew, i was able to meet one of the first Asian Americans that had crossed over to the mainstream through music named Johnny Mori, who was one of the founding members of the Jazz style group Hiroshima in the 80’s… my parents and countless relatives all had they’re tape and cd back in the day and they sold countless units. http://www.hiroshimamusic.com/
He was telling me how all the problems and red tape we face in music and entertainment today as Asian Americans was the same thing major labels and execs we’re telling them back in the day, as they were Asians doing Jazz music for the mainstream.. and selling units and getting radio play and touring like crazy.
Its insane how not much has changed, but it should fuel this generation more to make that change so that the ones that have paved the way don’t see the leaps and bounds and opportunites created go to waste.
Look for the FAR EAST MOVEMENT, 4C THE POWER and the JACCC to be working together more in the community.
for info on the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center visit www.jaccc.org
The Nikkei Federation and the JACCC will be holding a free concert with some awesome performers, i recommend if you’re around Lil Tokyo in Los Angeles check it out
That sounds pretty awesome.. thanks Kev!
I’ll take the metro there haha
Sounds like a good show!