Makoto Ozone says, 'Go West'
January 12, 2012
YOW KOBAYASHI/YAMAHA
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fm20120112a1.html
In 1956, pianist and band leader Toshiko Akiyoshi made the brave decision to leave Japan and enter the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a young Asian woman embarking on a career in jazz, she was a novelty back then. She persevered and subsequently spent the majority of her career in the United States. Two generations later, young Japanese jazz musicians still follow in her footsteps and try to earn their chops by attending music academies in America and playing in clubs there.
In 1956, pianist and band leader Toshiko Akiyoshi made the brave decision to leave Japan and enter the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a young Asian woman embarking on a career in jazz, she was a novelty back then. She persevered and subsequently spent the majority of her career in the United States. Two generations later, young Japanese jazz musicians still follow in her footsteps and try to earn their chops by attending music academies in America and playing in clubs there.