Nihon NY – Episode 30 – JEROPosted in Arts, Asian Diaspora, Media Archive, Videos on 2013-04-07 18:09Z by Steven |
Japan Society NYC
2012-06-18
Pittsburgh-native, Tokyo-based enka superstar JERO made his New York debut at Japan Society earlier this month. With his smooth voice and hip-hop stylings, JERO has breathed new life into this sentimental Japanese music genre often associated with themes of one’s hometown, lost loves and sake. Often referred to as the Japanese blues or Japanese country music, enka’s melodies and required vocal techniques make it a quintessentially Japanese musical style. Since releasing his debut single Umiyuki (Ocean Snow) in 2008, JERO has received the Japan Record Awards Best New Artist award and has appeared on Japan’s most prestigious New Year’s music spectacular Kohaku Uta Gassen. In this intimate evening, JERO will talk with the incomparable Japan expert and Japan Society’s former Executive Vice President John Wheeler, about his relationship with the Japanese world of enka and serenade audiences with his own original songs as well as enka classics including those of Misora Hibari (美空 ひばり) and Itsuki Hiroshi (五木ひろし) among others.
On this episode of Nihon NY, we feature snippets of his performance at our venue, as well as an interview about his origins and his career as an enka singer.
The song names in order of appearance:
1. Umiyuki （海雪）
2. Harebutai （晴れ舞台）
3. Yuki Guni （雪国）
4. Tsugaru Heiya （津軽平野）
5. Suki Yaki （上を向いて歩こう）
Interview begins at 00:11:29.