Koritsu University America Day Concert June 11, 2009

[Rambling Steve Gardner]

Koritsu University America Day Concert

Hisa Nakase and myself had the great pleasure to play an American Roots ‘N Blues show for about 750 young women at Kyoritsu University, one of Japan’s oldest women’s universities.

The young women who attended were ready for some fun. They were clapping and singing along form the first song or two. Many told me later that it was their first time to ever hear “our kind” of music or even to hear the blues harmonica and National Resophonic guitar live. That made me feel great and have pause to consider the sorry state of what passes for music these days. There are few chances for young people to enjoy music in a natural setting like many of us did growing up.

I grew up in Mississippi and heard some kind of music being played at home or around home most nights. Weekends we had fish fry's and on Sunday, church music. The radio played it’s heart out and we could bend anyone’s ear with a tune.

So if I can get the chance to play for those younger than myself I am always game for it. I play for a lot of schools and universites, the Boy Scouts and the US State Department to name a few. SO- if you are a teacher, have a youth program or event in mind, let me know. I would love to be a part of it.

The event was put on in part by by Prof. Lillian Swain and Prof. Hisako Yanaka of the American Studies Department of Koritsu along with the great stage management of Abe Levin. Other performers on the bill were, Brenda Vaughn and a jazz trio.

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