 | Yokoso !!! | Sep 17, 2007 |
Thanks for coming by. Just a few thoughts & notions of our family's adventures in Tokyo, Japan. Drop me a line when you can !!!  Feb 23 (T) 10 AM FEU BG Workshop
4:30 PM UAP BG Workshop
Feb 24 (W) 7 PM CCF St, Francis SquareMini Theatre BG Workshop
Feb 25 (Th)5:30 Greenbelt 3 Park
BLACK GOSPEL CONCERT at the PARK
with Ray Sidney, Jun Suematsu & Ken & Bola Taylor
Featuring Philippine Artists:
Mar Dizon - Drums
Jun Fernandez - Keyboard
Meong Pacana - Bass
Lorry Zamora- Sax
Join any one of the 3 BG Workshops & sing with us at the Concert. Invite your Church friends, un-Churched friends. If you can't sing, come enjoy the PRAISE !!! HGF's 300+ Voice Choir + 12 -man Matsuriza Wadaiko Group doing RIDE ON KING JESUS
Featuring : Ray Sidney- guest artist, Ken Taylor- Choir Director
DVD in the making- coming in the Fall !!!
HGF's 300+ Voice choir + Zone Crew Collaboration at the June 20th Joint Black Gospel Concert in Lune Hall, Kodaira City.
Featuring: Gregory Hooper- guest artist & Ken Taylor, choir director
DVD in the making- coming in the Fall !!!
|  | June 20th - 300 Mass Choir+ Wadaiko Group+ Hip Hop dancers+singers+ film crew+ support staff+ great musicians=
Praise Celebration !!!
Concert pics taken by Victoria Taylor- age 11
Location: Lune Kodaira Hall |
| Start: | Jun 20, '09 6:30p | | End: | Jun 20, '09 9:00p | | Location: | Lune Hall Kodaira, Tokyo |
Another Nationwide HGF concert scheduled with over 350 of the 600 members from all over Japan coming to Tokyo for this special event. This time we will be joined by Matsuriza Wadaiko troupe featuring a 12 man Taiko group to perform with us. Zone Crew, a hip hop group lead by Nozomi, one of our choir members will also be returning. Ray Sidney will be joined by Gregory & Ruth Hooper to make up the roster of artists. Charity proceeds will once again go to the Samaritan's Place, an orphanage run by the Morisses in Silang, Cavite, Phil.
See you there !!!
http://bmttokyo.multiply.com/video/item/18/WadaikoBlack_Gospel_FusionDo you have an interest in Black Gospel music? Or perhaps traditional Japanese Drums? Have you ever thought about what it might look like if the two were blended together into a single performance? This summer Studio Re:, in partnership with HGF and Matsuriza, will be doing just that. Filming a performance in which the two are fused together. The final outcome? A paradigm shifting music video with a documentary exploring the heart and history of each artistic form. Filming will commence June of 2009 by a talented team with members from Japan and the United States. The project itself should be released for viewing between late fall of 2009 and early 2010. More details and updates coming soon! ~The Studio Re: Team~ Featuring: Ray Sidney, Ken Taylor, the Matsuriza Wadaiko group and the Hallelujah Gospel Family Choir Teaser Edited & Produced by: Jonathan Herring Executive Producer: Paul Nethercott Footage provided by: HGF & Matsuriza
By: Paul Nethercott
 We promised an update... Hundreds responded and have been praying for Bola's polyp.
This morning, Bola (accompanied by one of our choir members, Mrs. Tajima) walked into the hospital for all the routine pre-operation tests. Started with another scope down the throat by one of the staff doctors. Stress test for her cardiac clearance. Kidneys showed some irregularities but nothing definite. Everything was pointing towards the scheduled surgery on April 15. The last step was Bola's final consult with the Voice Center Specialist. Dr. Fukuda, who has been practicing for over 40 years and is a world renowned Throat Specialist. He treats famous singers, lecturers, and politicians .
After lunch, Bola was called in to see Dr. Fukuda. Bola mentioned that her voice was back to normal. Dr. Fukuda inserted the scope into Bola's throat again (the staff doctor in the morning still diagnosed positive polyp in Bola's vocal cord). Dr. Fukuda looked and looked and did a thorough search... Finally, in a surprised and excited tone: NO POLYP! NO SURGERY NEEDED!
Perplexed, Dr. Fukuda explained this phenomena as a SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION. In tears, Bola thanked Dr. Fukuda & mentioned that "God Healed me" because many people were praying for a MIRACLE !!!! Bola handed a CD/DVD of our last Gospel Concert to Dr. Fukuda and said, I hope not to see you again.
We had just witnessed a miracle today. As proof I was tempted to attach the photos of Bola's vocal cord (before and after the polyp was "resolved") but it is not a pretty sight. Instead, above is a picture of Ken, Anika, Luke, and Victoria Jumping for Joy because Bola can continue to SING !!!
Thank you again for your prayers, outpouring of love and concern for us.
To God Be The Glory! Hallelujah!
In Jesus Mighty Name, Ken & Bola Taylor I've heard this word before. But I really didn't know the meaning and impact it could have until Bola was diagnosed with a polyp in her vocal cord.
As a professional singer, the past 12 weeks has been quite a challenge for Bola. Hoarseness, shallow breathing, loss of singing voice, no high range, broken and airy talking voice. Allergies, colds, asthma were all possibilities. Finally saw the local Ear-Nose-Throat doctor and a polyp on the vocal cord was found. As a singer and given the seriousness of this, we immediately sought other medical opinions and went to see a specialist here in Tokyo.
Bola is scheduled to have surgery on April 15 (Wed) to excise the polyp. The surgery will require 3 days of hospitalization, 1 week of complete silence, 1 month voice therapy. In the interim, we have had to cancel all of Bola's singing engagements except for 1 last concert last weekend. The interesting thing is that Bola's singing voice came back last week. We had 1 more scheduled concert before surgery and her complete talking and singing voice miraculously returned the day of the concert! Unbelievable. God is able!
Special Prayer Request: Bola has a pre-operation appointment this Tuesday. With her voice now back to normal, pray that the polyp is gone! Wisdom for Bola, doctor, and staff as they consider all the options. And if surgery is still necessary, for quick and complete recovery. We will keep you updated.
| | Album dedicated to Stel ..........
Got to enjoy the music of Dianne Reeves, a special highlight for this trip. Gracious people- she & her entire band. Got to hang out with them in their Green Room & chatted with them ;-D |
| | Got to meet a lot of new & reconnected with many retro friends during our fabulous 6 day stint in Manila for the PIJazzfest.
What a special week we had !!! |
| | KT, Ray , Jun & I were invited by ABS-CBN, the Philippine's largest network, to be part of this annual event so we flew in for 6 days to conduct 3 workshops in preparation for a concert on Saturday.
Had the joy of being joined by our great friends, Lorry & Onie Zamora, band mates of KT in his first band 26 years ago, new friends Ivy, Nick (our videographer) & son Aram (photographer) Puzon, my brother's friends who are now mine as well.
Joined by a choir from a number of churches, universities & communities, we sang our heart out & lifted the praise up !
Supported by some of Manila's finest musicians -
Band: Suematsu Jun- 1st Keyboard
Henry Katindig- 2nd Keyboard
Lorry Zamora - Sax
Benson Ang - Drums
Noel Asistores - Bass
Photos by: Aram Puzon- great job Aram !!! |
 PIJazz Fest will again be held this Feb 13th-Mar 4th. Ray, KT & I have been invited as guests for the Black Gospel window of the festival. We will conduct 3 workshops which will culminate in a 300 Mass Choir Concert on Feb 28th at Eastwood. Check out the website to see the rest of the International Artists particiating in the festival. Join us - it'll be great fun !!!
Featuring : Henry Katindig = keyboard Lorry Zamora = sax Noel Asistores = bass Benson Ang = drums Junichiro Suematsu =keyboard
Here's the link to their website:< http://www.pijazzfest.com/> Here's the final copy of the PIJazz Flyer
To join or register: website: www.pijazzfest.com
email: mazenaidaceldran@yahoo.com fax: 8902007
We'll meet at Eastwood for 3 consecutive workshops- learn 5 songs on Feb 25th, the next 5 songs on Feb 26th, rehearse all the songs on Feb 27th & perform them on Feb 28th.
Come, sing, experience BLACK GOSPEL & be blessed by the moving of God's Spirit as we see you in Manila !!!
PRAISE UP !!! LIFT THE PRAISE UP !!!
| Start: | Feb 25, '09 8:00p | | End: | Feb 28, '09 | | Location: | Eastwood , Manila , Philippines |
Pijazzfest will again be held in Manila this Feb 13th till the 4th of Mar. KT, Ray & I have been invited to be part of this event. We will be doing 3 workshops on Feb 25, 26, 27 at 7 PM leading up to the Big Event Feb 28th. starting at 5 PM. Hope to see you there ! Here's the link : http://www.pijazzfest.com/ | | This is a repost of a previous album I inadvertently deleted . Noted it as a DRAFT which turned out to be the existing album I had.
Had the TLive rehearsal the week before in preparation for this Jazz Live. Shizuko Tajima is our Choir Member whose Bro-in-law Kunio Tajima (roofing president in the AM) occasional Jazzer in the eves, owns Don Fan Live Jazz Bar. Check out his CDs which I uploaded in my Music Page.
It is a little hole in the wall bar that seats about 30 max(Japanese style). Probably the smallest bar I have ever been to with the exception of the one we visited in Kyoto. I like it's cozy, warm vibe. We were packed with ladies from one of our 30 Gospel Choirs. They too love Jazz.
We were joined that evening by a new friend, Bay Area based pro bass player, Aaron Germain. It was a great eve of friends, fun & music.
Stage One:
I Left My Heart in SFO
A Foggy Day/ It Might As Well Be Spring
Autumn Leaves
Summertime
Haven't We Met
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Stage Two
My Funny Valentine
End of A Beautiful Friendship
Like Someone in Love
There Will Never Be Another You
Love Letters
Dejame Verte
Change The World
Follow Your Road
Isn't It Amazing
I'm Amazed
Amazing Grace
Oh Happy Day ( Sing a long w/ Choir Members) |
 | 6 in 6 | Jan 3, '09 12:57 AM
for everyone |
| | CHRISTmas 08 found KT & me through another busy season of ministry enjoying singing with the HGF Black Gospel Choir Members & many other friends in the 6 concerts we had over the 6 weeks of the Holidays. From an open air concert in the park , to 2 concert halls, to a "private" party in a coffee house in Tokyo to the US Naval Base in Yokosuka & a church sponsored concert - it was a privilege to share the CHRISTmas message to many who have never heard the Great News of CHRIST's birth & mission here on Earth.
Location: CHRISTmas 08 in Japan |
Finally here is Anika's clip of Colbie Caillat's REALIZE.
Download this and other original video files with Multiply Premium. | | Anika's CAJ Class '10 sponsored a Charity Concert tonight & it included Anika singing Colbie Caillat's song Realize accompanied by 3 of her friends on guitars & the cajon.
It's been 6 years since she played Amaryllis on that stage for the play The Music Man.
Looks like she had a great time - KT & I did !!!
Working on the video ! |
| | This Album is dedicated to Stella C- my Soul Sista, former Sendai local now living in Texas - I miss you ! Wish you were there !
The Hallelujah Gospel Family (HGF) which KT leads consist of 30 choirs with about 500 members all over Japan. Close to 100 of those members live about 8 hours away from TKY & hardly make it to our Tokyo concerts. This time around we were invited to join the 7th Sendai Gospel Music Festival. Ray, KT, Tajima san & I got on the Hayate Shinkansen with top speeds at 275 mph, covered 188 miles within 1 hr 40 min. to join them.
This is the 1st of 3 Regional Concerts we will be having this season. Ray also conducted the 2nd of his 19 workshops scheduled all over Japan.
More good music to come ! Check out the 6 in 6 album for the rest of the concerts !!! |
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqvKfjoHVccCurrently in Capitola by the Sea for the next 2 weeks on our annual time out courtesy of our dear church partners TLC, Aptos. We will be in Memphis to visit with more black Gospel partners who visited us last year then on to see our dear Anika & Luke in Fairbanks, AK in another week.
Here is a clip of one of the songs & sole dance number done at our last concert. Featured is ZONE CREW's 70 all Japanese member troop taught by Nozomi, one of our choir students. In the background is one of our Choirs, With Hope Choir doing the vocals on this number.
ENJOY !!!  | Guestbook | |
 | Thanks for the birthday greeting, B! Can't wait to see you in Manila! God bless always! |
| merry christmas bola. : ) |
 | Thank you, dearest Bola! Happy to be celebrating my 40th with my online buddies. = ) Take care! |
 | Hi B,
we are going home on january....sana maka daan kami diyan...not sure yet, have to look for the cheapest fare, pero sana nga maka daan kami ng tokyo. |
 | Hi Tita! Belated happy birthday! Am on my 9th month already, can give birth anytime starting October 6 =) |
| Happy, happy birthday, dearest Bola! |
 | Happy Birthday Bola!
Today is your Birthday!
Tomorrow naman is Ruby's Birthday!!!
Birthdays ng mga Ate..... |
 | Yeah soon. Ian was out of town for work this week so I was driver, bantay bata, etc. |
 | Thanks Ivy,
Looking forward to a great year ...........
It is good to get to know you & Nick. |
| Thanks DD, I've missed you......... Where have you been?
Let's try to talk or chat or whatever again soon.
I think it could be sushi or Yakiniku tonight. I get to choose but KT's Tito Mari is coming in from HI so I'll let him choose between the two.
Soon OK?
Love,B
|
 | Happy Birthday Bola! Wishing you God's best... Stay blessed. =)
♥ ivy |
| Happy Birthday B! Have fun today okay? Throw away the diet first and pamper yourself. God bless! Mwah! |
| Yes Tita, they're still staying in Forbes, I'll tell Mama you want to get in touch with them. |
| |
Happy, happy birthday, dearest Bola! 