Songs of Nihonmachi is a tribute to the thriving Japanese American community in Seattle’s Japantown prior to the World War II internment. The installation provides a listening station that allows visitors to play 78RPM records from the 1920’s and 1930’s, both from Japan and from the United States, that were likely being listened to in the Japanese American community at the time.

The opening night performance will feature a jazz trio with Kikuchi on drums, along with acclaimed Seattle musicians Ivan Arteaga (reeds) and Jeff Johnson (double bass). The ensemble blends jazz standards of the 1920’s and 1930’s with improvisations inspired by popular Japanese songs of the era.  The performance takes place at the historic Panama Hotel, in Seattle’s International District, which was a center of the city’s thriving Japanese community life until the disruption of forced resettlement during World War II.

Created with support from a 4Culture Historic Sites Specific grant.

Presented by Earshot Jazz and the Panama Hotel. 

Paul Kikuchi - drums and compositions
Ivan Arteaga - reeds
Jeff Johnson - Doublebass