As you know, a terrible earthquake hit Japan on Friday afternoon, March 11, 2011. The devastation of certain areas of Japan was unimaginably terrible. Those of you who can access the video footage know how shocking the situation is.
Tokyo, where I live, is reasonably normal, though everything has slowed down. But, that may not last long, since more earthquakes are predicted for the next week. Those of us who live in Japan have been watching the footage and simply cannot believe how destructive, tragic and confusing the earthquake has been.
People who are hurt and homeless need a lot of help. Jazz has always been a community and about community--one long ‘rent party’ in one sense. And Japan has always been a safe haven for jazz. But now, in the northeast of the country, people are surviving on nothing.
Japan is one of the better-off countries in the world, but just like in other countries, it is always the poorest and most needy who are the first and worst affected.
Anyone who can afford it can send a donation, in any amount, to the following sites:
