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Join Steve in support of Panama Hotel Jazz Educational and Performance Extension

Steve

45 from 2 donors 1 update 300 goal
Why is Panama Hotel Jazz important?
The Panama Hotel Jazz program offers an educational, entertaining and artistic representation of the Seattle Japanese American WWII experience by connecting history and tangible artifacts to the greater community. Discrimination, unjust treatment by government, irrational behavior during war and citizenship remain important issues today and the Japanese American experience offers vivid and vital lessons for future generations.
How was Panama Hotel Jazz created?
The program was created with a $15,000 4Culture Historic Site Specific grant, presented at seven free concerts at the Panama Hotel Tea Room and recorded on CD for commercial release. Source material is posted at panamahoteljazz.blogspot.com.
What is the performance like?
Five of Seattle’s best jazz musicians (Steve Griggs – saxophone, Jay Thomas – trumpet, Susan Pascal – vibraphones, Milo Petersen – guitar, Phil Sparks – bass) perform 10 original compositions and an arrangement of the Japanese National Anthem as musical scenes set up by brief historical narratives.

Thanks to...

Dec 18 Japanese Chamber of Commerce gave 25 for a share of the Panama Hotel Jazz production costs
Nov 9
Kurt view profile
Kurt gave 20 for a share of the Panama Hotel Jazz production costs

Help me expand the reach of this important performance

The New York Times best selling novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet opened the door to Japanese American history for many outside the Japanese American community. This campaign will show audiences what is on the other side of that important portal to the past. Join me in supporting the campaign to share this educational and entertaining program with students and others in the Seattle area.

Your donation automatically has a greater impact! The Japanese American Chamber of Commerce is providing incentives for this campaign, which are outlined below. Please help me reach these goals today!

First 20 champions* to sign up $25 placed in champion’s fundraising account
First 10 champions to recruit two donors $50 placed in champion’s fundraising account
First five champions to reach $100 $100 placed in champion’s fundraising account
First champion to reach $500 $500 placed in champion’s fundraising account
Five champions who raise most money $100 placed in champion’s fundraising account

Jamie Ford reads in Seattle (sent November 15)

I met Jamie Ford at the Wing Luke Museum last weekend when he read from his new book “Songs of Willow Frost.” He signed “Songs” and his first novel “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” for me. I am teaching “Hotel” at Puget Sound Community School. I take the class to locations in the book. Today we went to the Chinese Room atop the Smith Tower where two of the characters in the book kiss on their first date. It is such a joy to share the story and history with students. That’s what supporting this project is all about!

About the Sponsor

The fiscal sponsor for this campaign is Earshot Jazz, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) arts organization formed in 1984 in service to the growing community of jazz artists and audiences in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Earshot publishes a monthly news magazine, provides educational programs and special projects in jazz, and presents nearly 100 concerts annually, including Seattle’s major jazz festival. Earshot has established an international reputation for the quality of its programming and services while becoming an integral part of Seattle’s vibrant cultural scene.

The artist producing this work is Steve Griggs, a saxophonist, composer and writer with 55 published articles in Earshot Jazz Magazine, 5 commercial recordings with 2 that feature drummer Elvin Jones, 84 original compositions and formal education in music performance, business, arts management, and narrative non-fiction.

Tell Steve why you this cause!