7th Fleet Band Performs First Concert on Southern Japanese Island of Miyakojima

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix, Commander U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

MIYAKOJIMA, Japan (NNS) -- The 7th Fleet Band Far East Edition performed its first-ever concert on the southern island of Miyakojima, Japan, before a sold-out crowd at the Matida Civic Center Dec. 12, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The concert came on the heels of a visit by the minesweeper USS Defender (MCM 2) to Miyakojima in September. Last year minesweepers USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) visited the nearby island of Ishigaki.

The concert was originally slated to happen in September, but was canceled due to Typhoon Kompasu.

The line outside the theater formed hours before show time with people like Masayoshi Takamori, a Miyakojima native, who said he has traveled to Tokyo and Yokosuka in the past to see the band perform.

"I really like the 7th Fleet Band, and I enjoyed today's concert," Takamori said.

As the band took to the stage at 4 p.m., the theatre roared with a loud applause welcoming the band and lit up with digital camera flashes from mobile devices.

U.S. Consulate General Naha Deputy Principal Officer Claire Kaneshiro said the interaction between the band and locals was an example of the expression that music and culture are the great ambassador.

"A lot people who showed up are music enthusiasts and people who wanted to show that they understood we were also here as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the security alliance," Kaneshiro said. "These types of events have great synergy, and we were able to distribute lots of material orientated towards encouraging kids in Japan to think about opportunities to study in the United States."

The band performed a total of 14 songs. One of the highlights of the performance was during the performance of the song, "Shima Uta," when Lt. Jeff Wrenn, fleet bandmaster, walked onto the stage playing a Japanese shamisen. A shamisen is a traditional three-string Japanese instrument that is similar in length to a guitar with a rounded drum-sized rectangular body.

"We started putting the segment into our Japanese shows about three months ago as a special treat," Wrenn said. "We always get great reactions, and the crowd is surprised to see that we have a traditional instrument that we play in our concerts."

Then came "Billie Jean," a rendition performed by Musician 1st Class (SW) Christopher Sams, compiled with all the Michael Jackson trimmings from the high kicks to the moonwalk.

"Tonight was special for me because this was my last performance with the Far East Edition of the band," Sams said. "'Billie Jean' is a Michael Jackson classic and audiences in Japan really love it, and they get a kick out of it when I do the moonwalk."

The band ended the show with an encore performance singing the song "Il Yu Da Na."

Some had waited for three months for a two-hour show. But no one was complaining based on the smiles and photos taken after the show when the audience got the opportunity to meet and greet the band.

"Thank you, very much for coming and come again in the future," said Takamori.