- In 1997,
The"Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir" was conceived from "Mr.
Tommy Tomita",
who is Harlem legend Japanese music producer (lived in Harlem for
35 years) .
During the 90's,
the movie "Sister Act" appeared,
then Gospel became popular in Japan just as a kind of "MUSIC".
Mr. Tomita desired that Japanese people would know and aprreciate the true
meaning of Gospel (Good News)
through the Black Church experiences.
Having been good friends with the late Pastor "Bishop Dr. Preston
Washington"
of the Memorial Baptist Church in Harlem, this Japanese Choir was established
in 1997.
Since that time,
the choir has notoriety as they have appeared in concert at Churches,
Senior Centers, Hospitals as well as community events
not only in Harlem, but throughout the tri-state and metropolitan areas
for 20 years, as a Community Choir.
In addition,
the choir had national media attention and news coverage
from the "NewYork Times" and "Daily News",
"NBC Sunday Morning Show", "CBS Saturday morning live", MNN
Cable TV in NYC etc.
as well as lots of Japanese media.
The choir has been formed with
Japanese homemakers, office workers and students in NYC.
Many members must eventually return to Japan,
but once in Japan they don't give up their love for Gospel music.
They started their own gospel choir in their hometown,
became ministers and missionaries,
even in Korea, Thailand...
Thus,
the "Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir"has influenced as the roots
of Japanese Gospel
and this is the part of facts that gospel music has branched out in Japan.
In June,2010 ,
the "Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir won the BEST CHOIR Award at McDonald Gospel Fest
as the first Japanese in its 27 year history,
performed at the world famous NYC Marathon stages, Carnegie Hall, featured
Apollo Theater as a special guest Choir",.
Also they're part of "Super Bowl Multicultural Choir", sang at
Madison Square Garden Theater, Times Square Super Bowl stage, and the Stadium.
Joining Gospel Musical "SOUL NATIVITY",since they were on the
Off Broadway show "Black Nativity 2010" in Times Square.
He owned 3 major Jazz clubs in Roppongi, Tokyo.
Also became a member of Japanese Luge Team the "Winter Olympic"
game in Sapporo.
1985 came to New York and traveled all over the United States
to introduce a new music trend of Japan through TV/Radio programs and magazines.
1987 Settle down in Harlem and started Harlem Tour for Japanese tourist
and Music booking.
1994-2012 Produced "Harlem night Concert" in Yokohama 5days
1994 Produced of concert "Japan Jazz All-Stars" in Apollo Theater.
And every month , he has been booking Gospel Musicians, singers from NYC
to Japan
1992 Received "Harlem 125th. Innkeepers Association Award" for his contribution to Community Volunteer Activity.
1994 Received "Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Excellence Award" for
Harlem civic league.
2006 Recieved "Apollo Award" for his years of committed support to
Apollo Amateur Night.
2007 Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of "Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir" at Baptist House of Prayer Church.
2014 Received "Man of Vision"award from Black community in the
U.S.
A native of Harlem is noted for her musical gifts and talents.
She is an accomplished Gospel Musician, Vocalist and Instructor
and Choir Director for over 30years.
(she is a Minister of Music and the Arts to the New Tastement Baptist Church
in NYC)
For more than 10 years,
she served as the Musical Director for Japanese gospel choir,
also she provided instructional gospel music workshops in Japan.
She is characterized by her for her energetic teaching techniques,
creative directing methods and unique teaching approach to the Gospel Music.
Furthermore she aspires to continue to let her God given name, "Melody"be an inspiration and life testament
to share the Gospel in word and song to the world.
Kimiko Matsuo is a popular coordinator for Japanese Media, Music labels,
and Tourism as a bridge between NY and Japan.
In Japan, she worked in one of the largest Entertainment companies as a
media director.managing and promoting ads in magazines and newspapers,
as well as TV, and conducting interviews.
In 2002, she moved to Harlem NY, to introduce Harlem topics to Japan, edits
the books, writes the colimns, coordinates Japanese magazines & TV's,
introduces or invites The US artists to Japan, Developing & training
young talents, also she is featured by the media in Japan & The US.
Giving back to her beloved Harlem Community, she has been doing clothing donation, collecting from Japanese community giving to churches, public school,s and shelters on a regular basis.
2014 Received "Women of Excellence"award from Black community in the U.S.
Born and raised in Japan, graduated and earned a B.A. in Economics form
a Christian university,
Serving in the Music Ministry as a member of her home church in Harlem.
Feb 14th (Tue) 10pm −live show in CableTV Award program
@ Studio in midtown
NYのケーブルテレビ生出演
Jan. 15th(Sat) @6PM- Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Concert in Harlem ハーレムのコミュニティセンターでのキング牧師アニバーサリーイベントにて招待賛美
2011 Schedule
Oct 15th (Sat) @3pm - HJGC concert @ nursing home
老人ホーム慰問コンサート
Sep 25th (Sun) @3pm −「 Harlem Health Fair 」 event stage @ Jackie Robinson Park
ハーレムコミュニティ毎年恒例のヘルスフェア メインステージにてゴスペル賛美
Sep 17th (Sat) @2pm −「No Wall」stage (knocking down the walls of issues that are destroing our community- HIV,
DV, drug....)
@ Marcus Garvey Park
ハーレムの中心にあるマーカスガーベイパークで開催される教会主催のゴスペルコンサート
Jun 25(Sat) @4:00pm--「Annual Fundraise concert for African Children 」 @ Church in The Bronx,NY
Jun 25(Sat) @6:00pm--「Annual Choir Concert」 @ Church in Harlem, NY
May 28(Sun) @4pm Annual Spring Concert in Westchester @ Church
5月28日(日)4時〜 1年に一度の春コンサートにてハーレムジャパニーズゴスペルクワイヤーのコンサート
May 22th(Sun)@3:00 −Charity Stage in Japan Block Fair @39-40th Street on Park Ave., NY
May 16th(Mon) @7pm Special Private Party @ Harlem, NYC
5月16日(月)夜7時〜 プライベートのスペシャルパーティにてゲスト賛美
May 1 (Sun) @3:00.−「Choir Annual Gospel Concert」 @ 2nd Canaan Church , Harlem NY
April 19 (Tue) @7:30pm −「Ai Heart Nippon !」
@Unification church of Americs (bet. 5th & 6th Ave.)
4月19日(火)7時半〜マンハッタン46丁目の教会にて東日本大震災救済イベント
April 6th(Wed) @7pm Special Private Party @ Midtown, NYC
4月6日(水)夜7時〜 プライベートのスペシャルパーティにてゲスト賛美
March 30(Wed) @7:30- 「JOIN FOR JAPAN」 A Cabaret for Tsunami Japan
@The Midtown Theater (163West 46th Street, TimesSquare)
* the funds will be going to UNICEF's efforts to help the children in JAPAN
3月30日(水)7時半〜ブロードウェイミュージカル基金による東日本大震災救済イベント
2011.Feb. 12th(Sat) @7pm Black Church Music Ministry @ Memorial Baptist Church
2月12日(土)夜7時〜 ブラックヒストリーマンス、ハーレムの黒人教会ゴスペルコンサートで招待賛美
2011.Feb. 5th(Sat) @7:00PM- Gospel worship in Bronx 2月5日(土)夜7時〜 ブロンクスの教会のゴスペル礼拝にて招待賛美
2011.Jan. 15th(Sat) @6PM- Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Concert in Harlem 1月15日(土)夜6時〜 ハーレムのコミュニティセンターでのキング牧師アニバーサリーイベントにて招待賛美
2010 Schedule
Dec. 4(Sat), 11(Sst), 18(Sat) 19:00- Off Broadway Musical Black Nativity NOW as a special guest
423W , 46th Street, NewYork (bet. 9 & 10 Aves.)
12月4日(土)、11日(土)、18日(土)夜7時からオフブロードウェイのゴスペルミュージカル「ブラックネイティビティNOW」にゲスト出演
Foundraise for Tsunami in JAPAN
※it was broadcasted by NHK(Japanese TV JP) & FUJI TV(Japanese TV in
US)
2010 Dec. Off Broadway Musical「BLACK NATIVITY NOW] Special Guest
NYタイムズスクエア オフブロードウェイミュージカル「ブラック・ネイティビティ NOW」客演
2010 Sep NHK BS(Japanese National TV)−「NewYork Wave」 made our documentary
and broadcasted in Japan, US, and Canada
NHK BS「ニューヨークウェーブ」にてドキュメンタリー番組。日本、アメリカ、カナダで放送
2010 Sep NYC Bloomburg Radio NYCentral Live interview
ニューヨークのブルムバーグ市長の新ラジオ番組「ニューヨークセントラル」第一回目ゲスト出演インタビュー
We"Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir" has been helping to fundraise
for our community, African Children, Haiti etc.
Since March 11th 2011,(Tsunami & Earthquake in JAPAN)、
We have been focusing on singing and a FUNDRAISING For JAPAN
※If you are thinking about having a service or event as a Fundraiser,
Feel free to Contact us!
Email i_love_gospel@hotmail.com (English & Japanese 日本語OK)