Japan’s Premier Disco Band!!! Playing all the funky disco hits of the 70’s and beyond!
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Peyton the Artist
Peyton is a Los Angeles-born painter whose work delves into the depths of self- examination and human experience. With a keen eye for blending realism, abstraction, and expressionism, Peyton infuses her portraits with intentionality, often incorporating unique materials like hand-sourced 24k gold foil from Venice, Italy.
Gianni Lee
GIANNI is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York whose work spans the
realms of fashion, fine art, and music.
Gianni’s work is heavily influenced by expressing the African America experience and Afrofuturism. Despite being a life-long artist, his ethos was ignited after being wrongfully arrested in 2017, driving him to use his art as a vehicle of empathy and understanding.
ADDRESS
Access
Subway Direct Link from Otemachi Station Exit D6
(Toei Subway Mita Line, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line/Hanzomon Line/Marunouchi Line/Tozai Line)
Access
Subway
Direct Link from Otemachi Station Exit D6
(Mita Line,Chiyoda Line,Hanzomon Line, Marunouchi Line, Tozai Line)
JAZZ PIANIST, TONY SUGGS
Born in Houston, Mississippi in 1971. He moved with his family to East St. Louis, Illinois in 1978, and was drawn to the beautiful sound of a Hammond B3 organ he heard at church when he was 12 years old, and soon began playing the organ regularly during church services.
His parents recognized his talent and gave him a piano for Christmas in 1984. In 1985, Martin Luther King showed off his talent by joining his first big jazz band when he was in the 9th grade of high school.
The band director encouraged him to attend Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, which produced Miles Davis and many other talented musicians. And he promised a scholarship to music school if he joined the stage band program there. Tony enrolled in Lincoln High School’s JAZZ program, where he studied under saxophonist Ronald Carter and spent meaningful time honing his skills.
He later had the opportunity to participate in Lincoln High School jazz band festivals and numerous competitions in America and Europe.
He also attended summer school in 1988 at Birch Creek Music Center in Wisconsin and Jamey Aebersold’s Jazz Workshop in Illinois.
His experience paid off when he won his first first place in the Illinois All-State Music Composition contest while at Lincoln High School.
He then chose to attend Jackson State University in Mississippi on a scholarship.
After entering university in 1990, he spent several months performing as an orchestra pianist for Carnival Cruise Lines.
In the 1990s, he had the opportunity to perform on cruises and have sessions with many artists, honing his keyboard skills and gaining recognition as a songwriter and arranger.
He returned to Mississippi in early 1991 and began playing with the JSU jazz band.
Frank Foster, then leader of the Count Basie Orchestra, was watching the show and asked Tony to play Ernie Wilkins’ “Good Time Blues.” with the orchestra.
After that performance, Tony developed a good relationship with Count Basie Orchestra pianist George Caldwell, and in November 1999, Tony became Count Basie Orchestra’s fifth pianist. She has toured extensively with the Count Basie Orchestra in Europe, Canada, the United States, and Japan, performing at the world’s famous halls (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, etc.) and participating in JAZZ FESTIVAL.
During his tenure, he worked with numerous artists including Manhattan Transfer, Patti Austin, Marlena Shaw, Carmen Bradford, Jimmy Cobb, Dianne Reeves, Hank Jones, Nnenna Freelon, Dianne Schuur, Jon Hendricks, New York Voices, and French entertainer Michel Leeb. are doing. He has made numerous television and radio appearances with the Count Basie Orchestra, and his skills have been credited to Russell Gunn’s Grammy-nominated Ethnomusicology: Volume 2, Roy Hargrove’s jazz/R&B project RH Factor, and Canadian artist Jeri Brown’s Juno-nominated album. You can also listen to it on Firm Roots etc.
After that, he became active as a SOLO jazz pianist.
He is currently forming his own trio band in Japan and is expanding his activities as a SOLO band.
FREE FYRE
Cameron L. Mitchell, Founder of Free Fyre and 2022 Poet Laureate of Murfreesboro, captivates audiences on stage and in classrooms across Tennessee, inspiring through creative workshops and transformative storytelling. Alongside him, Jazzmin D. Mitchell, Co-founder and Assistant Director, brings a fusion of social work and performing arts to stages nationwide, proving the boundless possibilities for community empowerment through artistry.
Jazzmin D. Mitchell, Co-founder and Assistant Director of Free Fyre, is a Licensed Master Social Worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work and concentration in Organizational 
Leadership from the University of Tennessee. She has worked in nonprofits for seven years. Some of her roles have been a Youth Development Professional and Volunteer Coordinator with the Boys & Girls Club, Resident Care Coordinator with Apartment Life, and a Grant Writer for Meharry Elam Mental Health Center during her masters degree program where she successfully helped the Center receive a federal grant! Jazzmin intertwines these social work skills with her passion for performing arts at Free Fyre. This has led her to perform at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, TN, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, the National Jazz Museum of Harlem, NY, and other cities like Chicago, Illinois and Atlanta, Georgia. Jazzmin chooses this path to show that the opportunities for social workers are limitless, and one doesn’t have to be famous to be a successful touring artist. Jazzmin lives her life purposefully, with the personal mission to empower others to live a transformed lifestyle.
Cameron L. Mitchell is the Founder of Free Fyre and the 2022 Poet Laureate of Murfreesboro. Cameron portrayed Corey Maxson in the critically acclaimed Broadway play
“Fences” (Nashville Rep), which received the prestigious award for best contemporarydrama. When he is not on stage performing he is doing creative writing and drama workshops as a teaching artist in schools across Tennessee.
Cameron has presented for: Disney, PBS, Metro Arts, National Civil Rights Museum, Vanderbilt University, and Meharry Medical College among others. Cameron’s awardwinning organization Free Fyre embarked on its first national tour, The Rebirth Tour, in honor of the Harlem renaissance, captivating audiences across the country performing at Stax Museum, 21cChicago, and The National Jazz Museum in Harlem New york. Cameron has published the writing journal “Metanoia: Changing the State of Mind.” As a Memphis native, Cameron uses his art to inspire the community through creative storytelling that transforms lives.
Community Spaces
Welcome to Legacy Lounge Azabujuban, where community comes alive in the heart of Tokyo. Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Azabujuban, our space is more than just a gathering spot – it’s a hub for connection, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you’re a local resident, a curious traveler, or a passionate entrepreneur, you’ll find a warm welcome here.
Step into our stylish yet cozy lounge and immerse yourself in a world of possibilities. From casual meetups to thought-provoking workshops, we offer a diverse array of events and activities designed to inspire and engage. Connect with like-minded individuals, exchange ideas, and forge lasting friendships in our inviting atmosphere.
At Legacy Lounge, we believe in the power of community to drive positive change. That’s why we’re committed to fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to share their voice and pursue their passions. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional development, or simply a place to unwind, you’ll find it here.
Join us at Legacy Lounge Azabujuban and become part of something special. Together, let’s create a legacy of connection, creativity, and camaraderie that will endure for years to come.
gOD-Talk: Reimagining Faith in the 21st Century – Film Tour
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is launching a multi-city film screening tour of the documentary film, gOD-Talk: Reimagining Faith in the 21st Century, including panel discussions exploring how and why African American millennials are creating new ways to engage with religion and spirituality. Originally premiering in October 2023, gOD-Talk is the first feature-length film from the NMAAHC. Tour updates, registration details and additional information can be found on the NMAAHC website.
The documentary undertaken by NMAAHC’s Center for the Study of African American Religious Life in association with the Pew Research Center is the culmination project of a five-year study exploring the lives of seven Black millennials—Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Ifa and Spiritualist—and how they reimagine faith in the 21st century. The film was executive produced by Kevin Young, NMAAHC’s Andrew W. Mellon Director. NMAAHC curator Teddy Reeves is the film’s creator and producer along with director and writer, Kim Moir, NMAAHC museum specialist. The film includes narration from Javicia Leslie Walker, film poster design by artist Nikkolas Smith and original music from Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito.
“gOD-Talk is charting new ground in the exploration of Black faith both in the scholarly study of religion and cinematic expression,” Reeves said. “The film gives millennials, the world’s largest living generation, the space to not only wrestle with the complexities of their faith—from issues pertaining to gender and sexuality, abuse and trauma, hip-hop, gentrification and more—but to discuss how they are fearlessly reconstructing their spirituality within or beyond the confines of their traditional upbringings.”
The gOD-Talk film tour and accompanying “talk back” panel discussions will take place at conferences, festivals, museums and community curations around the world. Registration and more details can be found on the NMAAHC website. Discussions will feature principals from the film and leading millennial voices. The film is rated PG-13.
2024 gOD-Talk Tour Schedule
January
Jan. 20; 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Wake Forest School of Divinity, Triad Cultural Arts, Forsyth County Public Library and 1LOVE Festival screening, reception and talk-back
Jan. 26; 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
Cleveland
Case Western University and East Mt. Zion AME Church
February
Feb. 17; 7 p.m.
Cincinnati
National Underground Railroad
Feb 18; 6 p.m.
Chicago
Samuel Proctor Conference
Feb 27
Tokyo and Osaka, Japan
Japan Afro American Friendship Association and Legacy Foundation screenings and book talk: Movements, Motions and Moments
March
March 6–9
San Jose, California
National Council of Black Studies, Stanford University
March 9
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville African-American Museum|
March 14
South Orange, New Jersey
Walsh Gallery, Seton Hall University
March 15
Honolulu
The Pōpolo Project, Honolulu Museum of Art
March 27
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton University Department of English and Foreign Language and School of Religion
April
April 5 and 6
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Phillips Theological Seminary
April 16
Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Black Heritage and Brown University
April 17 and 18
Pittsburgh
Heinz History Center sponsored by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, August Wilson Center, African American History Department at John Hines Center, Urban League and NAACP with book talk: Movement, Motions and Moments.
April 23
Indianapolis
IndyHub, The Exchange at Indianapolis Urban League, and Indy Black Professionals
Film principals include:
- Candice M. Benbow (Atlanta), multi-genre theologian and writer
- Rashid Hughes (Upper Marlboro, Maryland), yoga and mindfulness teacher
- Tre’vell Anderson (Los Angeles), journalist and author
- Chavonne Taylor (Los Angeles), host and producer
- Diamond Stylz (Houston), non-profit leader and podcaster
- Makkah Ali (Chicago), educator
- Michael Wortham (Brooklyn, New York), educator
About the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 10 million visitors. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu or follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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SI-15-2024
Black Americans Living Abroad Reflect on Juneteenth Holiday
Bangkok, Thailand — As the United States marks only the second federally recognized Juneteenth, Black Americans living overseas have embraced the holiday as a day of reflection and an opportunity to educate people in their host countries on Black history.
President Joe Biden moved quickly last year to federally recognize the day Black Americans have been celebrating since the last enslaved people were told they were free in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation.
In Liberia, Saqar Ahhah Ahershu, 45, from Jersey City, N.J., is organizing the country’s first “Journey Home Festival.”
“Because this is part of that hidden African American history that still hasn’t been completely unpacked,” he said in Monrovia.
Liberia, Africa’s oldest independent republic, was founded by freed slaves repatriated to West Africa from the United States in 1822, exactly 200 years ago this year. This weekend’s event will include a trip to Providence Island, where former slaves settled before moving into what is now mainland Monrovia.
While there are no official statistics tracking Black Americans moving abroad, many are discussing it more openly after the police killing of George Floyd. In the aftermath, many African Americans saw the U.S. “from the outside in” and made up their minds not to return. Tashina Ferguson, a 26-year-old debate coach, was living in New York at the time of Eric Garner’s death.
She moved to South Korea in 2019 and will celebrate Juneteenth on Sunday with a group of drag performers at a fundraising brunch for the Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
She has mixed feelings about the newest federal holiday.
“The commerciality of Juneteenth has become this like whole, ‘Put it on a T-shirt, put it on ice cream tubs’ type of thing,” she said. “But as a Black person within the Black community I’m like, ‘Yeah, let’s celebrate us.’”
She said that only a powerful change would make her consider returning to the U.S.
Chrishan Wright in New Jersey regularly speaks with Black Americans who plan to or already have made the move abroad.
Wright, 47, hosts a podcast “Blaxit Global” and said many of her guests are tired of the U.S.
“They’ve done all the things to achieve what is supposed to be the American dream, and that yardstick keeps moving. They don’t feel like they’re on solid ground in terms of being able to retire comfortably or pay off student debt or just cover their bills.”
Wright plans to move in 2023 to Portugal. Through her podcast, she already knows of Juneteenth celebrations this weekend in Lisbon, the capital.
In some places with larger populations of Black Americans, Juneteenth is already part of the program.
LaTonya Whitaker, from Mississippi, has lived in Japan for 17 years. She is executive director of Legacy Foundation Japan, which hosted a Juneteenth gathering of about 300 people at the ritzy Tokyo American Club on Saturday.
She and her husband David didn’t plan to live in Japan.
Like Whitaker, many Black Americans at the Juneteenth event came to Japan almost by coincidence, as Christian missionaries or Peace Corps volunteers. But they made Japan their home.
She now wants to raise their son there because she worries about gun violence in the U.S.
“I realized we really need a community,” said Whitaker.
Michael Williams teaches African American history at Temple University in Tokyo and left the U.S. when he was 22. He’s now 66 and had lived abroad for much of his adult life, but returned to the U.S. for graduate school in Boston and Baltimore.
America has changed so much, he feels like a tourist when he visits, he laughed.
Williams said he knows about Juneteenth from teaching history.
“I would always end my presentations that hopefully, someday, this would be a national holiday. And so now it is, and it feels great,” he said.
In Taipei, Toi Windham and Casey Abbott Payne are holding multiple events to celebrate Juneteenth. The two, part of Black Lives Matter Taiwan, are hosting performances by Black artists and musicians.
Both have celebrated with their families long before it was a federal holiday.
Windham has lived in Taiwan for five years, and had always celebrated Juneteenth growing up in Texas. For her, it’s an opportunity to educate people about a different part of American culture, even the darker parts.
“A lot of people tend to enjoy hip-hop culture and the attire and certain parts of our culture, but I feel like it’s important to acknowledge all parts of Black culture,” she said.
Payne, an organizer, has lived in Taiwan for 11 years and said he also celebrated Juneteenth growing up in Milwaukee, which has one of the oldest celebrations nationwide.
“As a kid, I remember the street being lined with street vendors, and there’s music going on and there’d be the Juneteenth parade rolling through,” he said.
Still for others, the day is a chance to joyfully kick back and rest.
In Bangkok, a group called Ebony Expats organized a silent movie screening, a bike ride in a nature reserve and a dinner for at a Jamaican restaurant serving jerk chicken and pumpkin soup.
Restaurant owner Collin Clifford McKoy served 20 years in the U.S. Army before eventually opening his restaurant during the pandemic in Thailand. He said the Juneteenth holiday is a chance for Black people to share their culture while being so far from home, American or not.
“Overall, it’s about coming together regardless of where we are, and it tells how much blood runs deep as a community to come together and enjoy ourselves,” he said.
