Harlem Supports Japan via the Harlem 4 Japan Benefit Concert

Harlem gives a benefit concert to support the Japanese people who were victims of the recent earthquake, the tsunami, and poisonous gasses leaked by the nuclear reactor explosion.

Harlem brought about an historic evening on Tuesday, April 19th, with an extraordinary gathering of Harlemites who came out in support  of the  benefit concert, Harlem 4 Japan, held at Aaron Davis Hall on the campus of The City College of New York.The evening opened with a special message from Lloyd Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and City College President Lisa Staiano Coico. They both shared their enthusiastic support for the benefit concert and  and spoke of Harlem’s relationship and support for the Japanese people who were victims of the recent earthquake,  tsunami, and poisonous gasses leaked by the nuclear reactor explosion.  

 

The evening’s entertainment began with the Soh Daiko drummers, the first Japanese Taiko drummers on the East coast and was followed by an amazing group of artists who all donated their time and talent to the concert: Rhythm and Blues legend and Grammy nominee Chuck Jackson, International artists Yuichiro Oda, Yuko Darjeeling, Toya, jazz pianist and composer Onaje Allan Gumbs, recording artist Alyson Williams, The New York African Chorus Ensemble, from the National Jazz Museum the Jason Marshall trio, Oscar and Grammy nominated IMPACT Repertory Theatre, jazz trumpeter Joey Morant, saxophonist Lonnie “the Prince of Harlem” Youngblood, 15 year old guitarist Solomon Hicks, 15 year old vocalist Tiffany Obi, 10 year old organist Matthew Whitaker, Harlem vocalists: Claude Jay, Janice Marie Robinson, Lady Cantrese, Annette St. John, Lee Olive Tucker, and Queen Esther, winner of the 2008 Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, Tevin Thomas, Harlemwood Records recording artist Lainie Cooke, Choreographer Obediah Wright and the Balance Dance Company, pianist Christian Sands from the Manhattan School of Music, the New Amsterdam Musical Association, and Keith “The Captain” Gamble to name but a few of the many musicians, singers, and dancers who took part.

  

Thousands of dollars were raised during the evening and contributions were made to the Japan Chamber of Commerce, The Japan Society and The Consulate General of Japan.

 

The concert was supported by The City College of New York, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Community Works,  Harlem Arts Alliance, the Dwyer Cultural Center, International Artists for Peace and World Harmony, Council Member Inez E. Dickens, The Office of State Assemblyman Keith Wright, Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group and Katsuya Abe.

 


 

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