Tech. Sgt. Amber Grimes, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. This was Grimes first tour as a member of the Band of the Pacific-Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Senior Airman William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, introduces the band during the beginning of Van Halen's "Right Now" as the curtain rises at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. "I enjoy the responsibility of introducing the band every show," stated Pressgrove. "It's a way to immediately engage and captivate the audience." (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Staff Sgt. Marco Muñoz plays the alto saxophone at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. Muñoz supports the Band of the Pacific-Asia's ensemble Pacific Trends by playing multiple musical roles on: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, ewi, and keyboard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Senior Airman William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings Elvis Presly's "I can't help falling in love" in his "Elvis voice" to an audience member at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. Pressgrove routinely uses his many accents and impersonations to add to his performance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Senior Airman William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, accepts a gift on Pacific Trends behalf from Mr. Akira Sato, Shiogama City mayor, at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. Following the presentation, Sato thanked the band for the performance, stating his own gratitude in English. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Master Sgt. Paula Goetz bows and shakes hands with a Japanese audience member following the a performance at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. This was Goetz's last performance as a member of the Band of the Pacific-Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
Pacific Trends throws signed colorful balls into the audience at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012. The balls were provided by Mr. Kenichi Kikuchi, local event cordinator, as gifts for the audience members who smiled and cheered when they caught one. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)
by Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles
USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia
8/17/2012 - SHIOGAMA CITY, Japan -- March 11, 2011 an earthquake hit Japan that resulted in a tsunami that hit the north-east cost of Japan with recent reports totaling 15867 deaths, 6109 injuries, and 2909 people missing.
In Shiogama City, one of the most affected areas, Mr. Tario Kanno, Shiogama UNESCO Association president requested the band following the successful performance last year.
"You can still see marks on the buildings as high as the second floor where the water had risen," said Senior Airman William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist.
Pacific Trends, Band of the Pacific-Asia popular music ensemble, returned to continue strengthening the Japan-U.S. friendship and supporting the people affected by the tsunami at the Yu Hall, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan on Aug 7, 2012.
"It's hard to describe the impact music has on people," stated Mr. Toshiyuki Sato, Yu Hall director, ..."but we want to empower and encourage them to move forward."
Pacific Trends performed approximately two hours and 20 minutes including music by Toto, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Guns and Roses. Furthermore, in addition to American tunes, Trends included four modern Japanese songs.
At the end of the performance, Mr. Akira Sato, Shiogama City mayor, presented the band with a gift and thanked them, translating his own gratitude into English for the band.
"We appreciate your support here following the earthquake and we would like to have you back again next year."
