Hiroshima at Aratani Theatre Sat Dec. 14 2013 Featuring Special Guests Terry Steele, Tex Nakamura & LosAKAtombrosNEW

Hiroshima returns the Aratani Theatre Saturday, December 14  featuring Special Guests Terry Steele and Tex Nakamura and LosAKAtombros

Grammy Award Nominee, Hiroshima returns to the Aratani Theatre for its (nearly annual)! 10th "Spirit of the Season" concert on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 7:30pm.  The "Spirit of the Season" concert provides a unique and engaging program of holiday songs done Hiroshima-style, and the Los Angeles premiere of their brand new CD, J-TOWN BEAT, which is dedicated to JACCC visionary Duane Ebata. 

Dan Kuramoto stated, "Hiroshima proudlypresents our 10th "Spirit of the Season" community event this year in partnership with Leslie Ito the new President and CEO of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC). We invite everyone to come out and support the JACCC and once again bring friends, see friends, and most importantly celebrate our community, our heritage, and the true meaning of the holidays."
 
"We do this concert to encourage the community to come to Little Tokyo, visit favorite restaurants and sights, and to discover the new Little Tokyo and create new memories with family and friends".  Please come and share in the fun and spirit of the season, meet the artists and do your holiday CD shopping at the show (at 'show only' discount prices)," continued Kuramoto.

"The JACCC and Ms. Ito support our mission to provide an opportunity for the community to experience artists they may not yet know. This year, Los AKAtombros featuring Scott Nagatani, piano; Taiji Miyagawa, upright bass, Tracy Wannomae, alto saxophone; David Cheung, drums will make its J-Town debut," Kuramoto added.

A post-Holiday-Bowl-Crenshaw-District entity, LosAKAtombros formed in late 2012/early 2013 with the objective of serving as a vehicle for improvisational musical collaboration, including the use of traditional Japanese folk songs as exploratory springboards.  Predominantly a Sansei group, their sensibilities are largely influenced by the works of African American composers, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. 

Special Hiroshima guest artists include, Terry Steele (former Hiroshima lead vocalist) and internationally acclaimed, harmonica virtuoso, Tetsuya Nakamura (former member of WAR). The band will premiere songs from our J-TOWN BEAT CD and our program of  holiday songs  highlighted by June Kuramoto's hip version of "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer," Terry Steele's unforgettable version of "Silent Night,"  a selection of new holiday hats and much more.

J-TOWN BEAT represents a new direction for Hiroshima – Dan Kuramoto, June Kuramoto, Kimo Cornwell, Danny Yamamoto and Dean Cortez. Four special guests artists join Hiroshima on J-Town Beat. Master percussionist Kenny Endo, internationally renowned Latin percussionist Richie Gajate Garcia, and composer/vocalist Terry Steele contribute. The extraordinary Vinx De'jon Parette lends his mysterious vocals to the project.

"We generally like to start a new CD with a concept, stated Kuramoto.  Some notion, vibe, title that creates a 'through line' through the project.  J-TOWN-BEAT, was really a concept conceived by our friend, (and JACCC visionary,) Duane Ebata.  He was the driving force of the Japan America Theatre in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo (J-Town). "Ebata created a series of concerts that focused on Japanese American artists committed to exploring their own multi-culturalism.  We wanted to take Duane's idea and apply it to an entire CD project. For us the preservation(s) of ethnic enclaves is one of the keys to the cultural diversity of this country. That 'mix' is what makes this country so vibrant," concluded Kuramoto.

(J-TOWN BEAT marks the 19th recording by the two time Grammy-nominated group, Hiroshima. With numerous gold records and nearing four million in world-wide record sales, this truly unique American ensemble embarks on a musical journey filled with colorful rhythms and melodies that evoke jazz, blues, R&B, Latin, pop-and their trademark blend of East and West.)

The artists will be available to autograph CDs at special (Holiday Package) Spirit of the Season prices.

Tickets are available for $38 orchestra and $30 balcony.  JACCC Members receive a special discount for tickets at $36 and $27, students and seniors $35, $27, and groups of 10 or more $35, $21. Call the Aratani Japan America Theatre box office at 213.680.3700, to charge by phone or buy tickets online at www.jaccc.org

Visit our website at hiroshimamusic.com to check out our tour schedule and sign up four our Hiroshima Community and receive special offers and discounts for members.

J-Town Beat is available on our website: www.hiroshimamusic.com cdbaby and Amazon.com.  Or visit Itunes to check out reviews or to post one.

In Little Tokyo at Rafu Bussan, 326 East Second Street – Closed Wednesday
In the Southbay at Cherrystones Restaurant, 15501 S Vermont Ave, Gardena – Closed Monday
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J-TOWN BEAT
Now available on our website www.hiroshimamusic.com iTunes, cdbaby and Amazon

HIROSHIMA
Visit our website at: www.hiroshimamusic.com

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