NEW: Letter to the Editor: Community Benefit Jazz Concert to help Japan this Sunday, May 1

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
by Kazuko Ono

When the horrific news of the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation plant failures in Japan arrived at our home, I felt inadequate and overwhelmed. A few local friends called to ask about our family and friends in Japan and ask what they could do.

At that time I had no idea what would be the best way to respond.

When I heard about the escalation of the radiation leaks, I began to ask myself: “How can I participate in the healing of such an enormous disaster?”

I watched the videos, viewed the photos and listened to my friends and family in Japan recount their experiences. They told me about how each person helped their neighbors when no one had power and how everyone stood on long lines. When the grocer was missing, customers only purchased ten items and dropped the appropriate amount of money in a pail and saved the diapers and formula for the family behind them in line. They explained how it took 12 hours to walk home and along the way they stopped and checked on a friend’s mother.

What can we do here to help?

Where was I in this picture? How could I help my neighbors in a disaster? What can I learn from Japan’s massive eruption?

I reflected on my energy usage, my communications with neighbors, my impatience waiting on long lines, my obsession with food shopping. I thought if I truly believe in the power of community, then why not coordinate a community benefit? My belief in “think global, act local” was the only way to be effective.

With a great sense of appreciation and need to consider the bridging of community to community, I began to call a few friends. So began the idea of coordinating a benefit concert.

Everyone was eager to help

The musicians immediately said: “Just tell me the day and time and I will be there.” The schools, Horace Greeley High School and Seven Bridges Middle School immediately responded. Seven Bridges offered their auditorium for the benefit and the Chappaqua PTA agreed to co-sponsor the concert. 

The musicians are all well-established, world-renowned musicians and recording artists. John Patitucci is a regular bassist with Wayne Shorter. Shunzo Ohno has also performed with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Art Blakey. Clifford Carter has been traveling as pianist and keyboard artist with James Taylor.  Pianist David Berkman has performed all over the world, teaches at Queens College and is known for his books for pianists, singers and musicians.

As you may already know, Japan has a very deep and profound passion for American Jazz.

The efforts of the students, neighbors, PTA and artists have been profoundly meaningful and I have learned so much in the short time of coordinating this benefit.

Benefit concert details

Please come to the Hope & Courage Jazz Benefit Concert for Japan this Sunday, May 1 at Seven Bridges Middle School Performing Arts Center. The doors open at 2:00, when there will be a calligraphy demonstration and a silent auction. The concert will begin at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors and $25 for adults. Advanced tickets sales are available at the main offices of Horace Greeley High School, Seven Bridges Middle School and Bell Middle School.

The benefit is co-sponsored by Horace Greeley Students for Social Justice, Seven Bridges Middle School G.O., Seven Bridges Middle School S.H.A.R.E., Jr. and the Chappaqua PTA.

All proceeds will be donated through the Consulate-General of Japan in New York.

Thank you,

Kazuko Ono