‘Last
Dance’ opens at Carpenter Center
By Jill Thomsen
On-line Forty-Niner
The
Carpenter Center will be filled with powerful
drum beats, lively jazz music and the healing
power of words this Friday at 8 p.m.
“Last Dance: A Jazz, Taiko, Storytelling
Performance,” the show features original
music and archival images, is a tribute
to the music and community which was formed
by Japanese Americans in World War II internment
camps.
 Originally
commissioned by the U.S. Congressional Civil
Liberties Public Education Fund and the
Asian-American Jazz Orchestra, “Last Dance”
features award-winning storyteller Brenda
Wong Aoki, jazz bandleader Anthony Brown
and former internee/jazz musician George
Yoshida. Mark Izu, a musician and
composer classically trained in the traditional
Asian reed instruments of sho and sheng,
as well as the double bass, is the composer
and creator of “Last Dance.”
Izu is happy that the performance — which
is making its Southern California debut
in its entirety — attracts a variety of
people.
“People come for the music, but they also
get an idea about internment.” Izu said.
“They understand what happened and want
to know more.” Using a Grammy-nominated
Asian-American orchestra, and personal stories
collected by Wong Aoki, said he is glad
he can present the great music that came
out of the camps while also providing a
history lesson “without a lecture.”
A musical combination of jazz and traditional
Japanese “taiko” drumming, “Last Dance”
is an appreciation of the Japanese-American
spirit and the men, women and children who
“used music and dancing to remind themselves
and the world who they really were.” Izu
said.
There will be a free “Last Dance” event
at the Border’s Bookstore today at 7 p.m.
Musician Yoshida will be on hand to sign
copies of his book, “Swingtime Reminiscences”
and Izu will launch a brand-new CD of Last
Dance music, of which he notes “After working
with these musicians for so many years,
it’s nice to see it released.”
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for Seniors
and CSULB students, faculty and alumni,
and $22 per ticket for groups of 20 or more.
For more information and tickets please
call (562)985-7000, or visit www.carpenterarts.org.
More information about the Borders event
can be found at (562) 985-7098.
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