MSB Formation

The Portland-based Minidoka Swing Band was formed in September 2007, as a tribute to Japanese Americans interned during World War II and to highlight the music popular in the Internment Camps. Affiliation: the Portland Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

 

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MSB Tune Pak from ReverbNation

Robbie.jpg

We dedicate our band to our founder and creator, Robbie Tsuboi, 1949-2010.  She inspired us to continue being the  Minidoka Swing Band!

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PHOTOS by Bruce Brown, our #1 "MSB Groupie"  and Rich Iwasaki, Location Photographer ... Thank you!

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THANK YOU to Dream Host for hosting our non-profit web site!

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WEB CONTENT AND DESIGN - Laura Baxter

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A Tribute to Japanese-Americans interned during WWII. Remembering the Big Band Swing music and the entertainment it provided to Internees for those Saturday dances!

Images of the Minidoka Swing Band

An Intimate Dinner with George Takei

On February 19, 2011 the Minidoka Swing Band was honored to play at the ONE reception for "An Intimate Dinner with George Takei" at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel. I have included a very nice email I received from George regarding the evening:

"Dear Laura,

I was transported to my boyhood imprisoned in two U.S. internment camps at that memorable evening two weekends ago at the reception for the Oregon Nikkei Endowment. Our barrack was just across the way from the mess hall at both camps. So, one of my cherished memories from those years is that of the music that wafted over on Saturday nights from the mess hall after my mother put us to bed.

The music of the 40’s that I heard from the Minidoka Swing Band sounded so familiar and sweet. That was the music of my boyhood. That was the sound that I loved. And it was brought back to me so marvelously that evening in Portland. My appreciation and gratitude goes to those talented musicians for keeping a dulcet part of a dark experience so melodically alive.

My thanks to you and the talented musicians for the great work that you are doing.

Warm regards,

George Takei"
http://www.georgetakei.com/

MSB Musicians

Larry Nobori - Music Director & Conductor; Lead Alto Sax & Clarinet

(Current band members)

Todd Yuzuriha - Lead Trumpet
Rick Homer - Trumpet
Karl Baxter - Trumpet
Terry Baxter -Trumpet
Kyle Baxter - Lead Trombone
Irv Petersen-Trombone
Eric Olson - Trombone
Dean Qualls - Trombone
Larry Nobori- Lead Alto Saxophone
George Shinbo - Alto Saxophone/Vocalist
Mike Strassmaier - Tenor Saxophone
Joy Yuzuriha - Tenor Saxophone
Elaine Yuzuriha - Baritone Saxophone
Lonnie Doi - Piano/Keyboard
David Thompson - Bass
Reggie Anderson - Drums
Doug Katagiri - Guitar
Nola Bogle - Vocalist
Shig Sakamoto - Vocalist
Jo Peterson - Vocalist

Robbie Tsuboi - Band Founder and Creator
Marilyn Loy - Co-Founder
Laura Baxter - Band Manager
Bruce Brown - Photographer
Swing Dancers: The Unite People Youth Group (JACL Youth Group)

Thank you to our great musician substitutes:
Ron Hylland - Trombone, Tenor Sax & Trumpet
Gray Rains - Trumpet
Robin Seitz - Trumpet
Justin Smith - Trumpet
Gary Irland - Trumpet
Mark Niemann-Ross - Double Bass
Jim Miller - Alto Saxophone
Wynn Kiyama - Piano/Keyboard
Tomatsu Tanabe - Piano/Keyboard
Tyler Nelson - Bari Sax

Past Musicians:
Dan Chinn - Drums
Rod Israeli - Bari Sax
Hikaru Okada - Piano/Keyboard
Anna Shida - Clarinet
Ken Yuzuriha - Trombone
Daniel Griffith - Alto Sax
Toyomi Yoshida - Tenor Saxophone/Piano
Eric Hiro Jordon - Tenor Saxophone
Yuki Inoue - Trombone
Sammy Yoshida - drummer/2nd trumpet
Jay Lyman - Percussion
Rev. David Weekly - 3rd trumpet/ Pastor of Epworth Methodist Church
Michael Loy - Double Bass/Youth founder of MSB



Click Below to listen:

MSB Tune Pak from ReverbNation