Wesley Jazz Ensemble
Purpose of the Wesley Jazz Ensemble ("WJE”): Our jazz ensemble provides a variety of highenergy songs and musical performances for senior centers, social organizations, and community events in the San Jose area as we11 as other selected Northern California locations. For those especially in ,the senior centers, this could be a special and only opportunity for listen to live music (from the past and present) at their own respective locations, where there could be mobility concerns and issues.
WJE History
The band was originally formed in 1996 by then Scoutmaster Wayne Adachi for Wesley's Boy Scout Troop 201. The band's first performance was for Reverend Peter Chen's Retirement Party at the Scottish Rites Temple. As the scouts completed their scouting program, the only ones remaining were the adult leaders from which other musicians from the Church and community were added to form today's jazz ensemble. The Band's music consists of jazz, blues, Latin, popular, rock and roll, Motown, ballads, Japanese pop charts and most recently rap versions. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all WJE performances were cance11ed for the past 3 years which we fu]]y support the decisions from our local and State health officials. Prior to this shut down, the Band last played in February 2020 for the Day of Remembrance Celebration, performing "Swingposium" in collaboration with San Jose Taiko in San Jose Japantown. Starting in early
2023, the band has started to perform for various community and church functions.
WJE 2023 Performances
1) April 2023: Nikkei Matsuri with the theme of our music telling the story of Covid 19
(attendance: 175)
2) August 2023: Special Church Service music, performing He :S Got the Whole World/
Amen, Amazing Grace, and What A Friend We Have In Jesus (attendance: 120)
Evaluation as to successfulness of program: As director of WJE, I feel that our musical performances are entertaining/high-energy, based on the audience participation, favorable response, and enthusiasm. WJE consists of 20 members (including two new members in 2023), comprised of some of the best Nikkei musicians in the South Bay Area. •
Financial Impact: WJE provides music free of any costs. If and when an honorarium is received in the name of the Band, all funds are donated to Wesley Church to its general fund.
Current and Future Plans: We are now rehearsing at OBI Studios (thanks to Dave Brown who had offered to allow the Band to practice at his recording facility) We are currently working on three performances including the Curry Cook Off in November and two Christmas/Holiday shows in December: Yu Ai Kai and Wesley Church for Christmas Potluck.
For 2024, we are in the process of scheduling more community events and collaboration performances with other local musical organizations, including "Japantown Returnings" (written by Mark Teagle) which is an inter-active musical play about the history of San Jose Japantown in col1aboration with the Japanese Museum of San Jose ("JAMsj"). We are planning a "60's/70's Music Revue/Dance" fundraiser for Missions' in 2024.
Wesley Jazz Ensemble Members:
Wayne Adachi, Director/Trombone
Ted Hasegawa, Trumpet/Vocals
Dave Brown, Trombone/A udio Supervision
Duane Takahashi, Alto Sax
Melina Takahashi, Alto Sax/Flute
Len Fujita, Tenor Sax
Michael Yoshihara, Bari Sax
Wendy Horikoshi, FluteNocals
Grant Shimizu, Lead Guitar
Peter Horikoshi, Rhythm GuitarNocals
Ichiro Bakoshi, Bass
Todd Soo Hoo, Drums
Marilyn Hasegawa, Keyboard
Kirk Tamura, Keyboard
Ryan Miyahara*, percussion/drums/bass
Shizuko Adachi, Vocals
Jeffrey Leap, Vocals/MC
Trent Uyenten *, Vocals
John Tanaka, Equipment Manager
Chris Hioki, Special Assistant/ Audio Technician
*New member in 2023
WJE History
The band was originally formed in 1996 by then Scoutmaster Wayne Adachi for Wesley's Boy Scout Troop 201. The band's first performance was for Reverend Peter Chen's Retirement Party at the Scottish Rites Temple. As the scouts completed their scouting program, the only ones remaining were the adult leaders from which other musicians from the Church and community were added to form today's jazz ensemble. The Band's music consists of jazz, blues, Latin, popular, rock and roll, Motown, ballads, Japanese pop charts and most recently rap versions. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all WJE performances were cance11ed for the past 3 years which we fu]]y support the decisions from our local and State health officials. Prior to this shut down, the Band last played in February 2020 for the Day of Remembrance Celebration, performing "Swingposium" in collaboration with San Jose Taiko in San Jose Japantown. Starting in early
2023, the band has started to perform for various community and church functions.
WJE 2023 Performances
1) April 2023: Nikkei Matsuri with the theme of our music telling the story of Covid 19
(attendance: 175)
2) August 2023: Special Church Service music, performing He :S Got the Whole World/
Amen, Amazing Grace, and What A Friend We Have In Jesus (attendance: 120)
Evaluation as to successfulness of program: As director of WJE, I feel that our musical performances are entertaining/high-energy, based on the audience participation, favorable response, and enthusiasm. WJE consists of 20 members (including two new members in 2023), comprised of some of the best Nikkei musicians in the South Bay Area. •
Financial Impact: WJE provides music free of any costs. If and when an honorarium is received in the name of the Band, all funds are donated to Wesley Church to its general fund.
Current and Future Plans: We are now rehearsing at OBI Studios (thanks to Dave Brown who had offered to allow the Band to practice at his recording facility) We are currently working on three performances including the Curry Cook Off in November and two Christmas/Holiday shows in December: Yu Ai Kai and Wesley Church for Christmas Potluck.
For 2024, we are in the process of scheduling more community events and collaboration performances with other local musical organizations, including "Japantown Returnings" (written by Mark Teagle) which is an inter-active musical play about the history of San Jose Japantown in col1aboration with the Japanese Museum of San Jose ("JAMsj"). We are planning a "60's/70's Music Revue/Dance" fundraiser for Missions' in 2024.
Wesley Jazz Ensemble Members:
Wayne Adachi, Director/Trombone
Ted Hasegawa, Trumpet/Vocals
Dave Brown, Trombone/A udio Supervision
Duane Takahashi, Alto Sax
Melina Takahashi, Alto Sax/Flute
Len Fujita, Tenor Sax
Michael Yoshihara, Bari Sax
Wendy Horikoshi, FluteNocals
Grant Shimizu, Lead Guitar
Peter Horikoshi, Rhythm GuitarNocals
Ichiro Bakoshi, Bass
Todd Soo Hoo, Drums
Marilyn Hasegawa, Keyboard
Kirk Tamura, Keyboard
Ryan Miyahara*, percussion/drums/bass
Shizuko Adachi, Vocals
Jeffrey Leap, Vocals/MC
Trent Uyenten *, Vocals
John Tanaka, Equipment Manager
Chris Hioki, Special Assistant/ Audio Technician
*New member in 2023
Posted in Charge Conference 2023