Dear Friends,

 

Once I’ve done what I set out to do
I’ll return home one of these days
Where the mountains are green, my home town,
And the water is clear, my home town.

 

At the other day’s Tokyo Big Band show, all of us sang these lyrics from Teiichi Okano’s famous song “Furusato” (“My Home Town”). As usual, while singing I became so emotional that I lost my voice and began to cry. One reason for this is Jonathan Katz’s wonderful arrangement. But there must be a deeper reason as well. I grew up in three big cities, Washington DC, Chicago, and Hartford, leading me to wonder “where is MY home town?” Furthermore, none of these cities has green mountains or clear water. In any case, after living in Japan for 20 years, I feel more and more like a foreigner every time I return to the US. Finally, when do musicians like me ever feel, “I’ve done what I set out to do?” There’s always a new challenge right in front of us. The pathos of losing (or perhaps never having had) a home town, combined with a longing for the future, is probably what brought tears to my eyes.

 

However, during this weekend’s Mambo Inn tour of the Tohoku region, I expect to see many green mountains, drink plenty of clear water (to ward off heat stroke) and fulfill some of my musical goals. I hope those of you who are nearby will come join us!

 

yours, Steve

 

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

      Dear Friends,   Once I've done what I set out to do I'll return home one of these days Where the mountains are green, my home town, And the water is clear, my home town.   At the other day’s Tokyo Big Band show, all of us sang these lyrics from Teiichi Okano’s famous song “Furusato” (“My Home Town”). As usual, while singing I became so emotional that I lost my voice and began to cry. One reason for this is Jonathan Katz’s wonderful arrangement. But there must be a deeper reason as well. I grew up in three big cities, Washington DC, Chicago, and Hartford, leading me to wonder “where is MY home town?” Furthermore, none of these cities has green mountains or clear water. In any case, after living in Japan for 20 years, I feel more and more like a foreigner every time I return to the US. Finally, when do musicians like me ever feel, “I’ve done what I set out to do?” There’s always a new challenge right in front of us. The pathos of losing (or perhaps never having had) a home town, combined with a longing for the future, is probably what brought tears to my eyes.   However, during this weekend’s Mambo Inn tour of the Tohoku region, I expect to see many green mountains, drink plenty of clear water (to ward off heat stroke) and fulfill some of my musical goals. I hope those of you who are nearby will come join us!   yours, Steve   Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)