The Blue Note Jazz Benefit for Japan concerts will be held at New York’s Highline Ballroom April 18-19. (Blue Note New York)

By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his  page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.  

Japan has always been there for jazz. Now, jazz is giving back.

The Blue Note New York will host a harmonious benefit at Manhattan’s Highline Ballroom for two consecutive nights beginning Monday (April 18), with all of the ticket proceeds to be donated to the Japan Relief and Recovery Fund spearheaded by Direct Relief.

The event is being organized by talent buyer Seiko Kinoshita, who has worked at Blue Note New York since 1996. “As the details of the disaster unfolded, I felt sad and frustrated that I couldn’t do much to help, being so far away from my home country,” said the Fukuoka native. “Having worked in the jazz industry for most of my adult life, I decided to organize a benefit concert and was very encouraged by the willingness of the artists, as well as their agents and managers, to support the event. I believe that every little bit helps, and I want the Japanese people to know that New Yorkers and the jazz community care deeply about them and their country and want to do what they can to help.”

For the last 23 years, Blue Note has maintained clubs in multiple Japanese cities, with current establishments in Tokyo and Nagoya. Ron Carter, the distinguished jazz bassist who will be among the all-star musicians at Highline on April 19, wrote of his concerns and appreciation for the Japanese people: “We share the grief of the enormous loss of life and displacement of the Japanese people. I will pray for Japan’s fast recovery and will do everything in my power to help. The Japanese jazz fan is the most important supporter of my music, and I am always grateful for the years Japan has stood by my side.”

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