The Minidoka Swing Band remembers the Japanese Americans who were interned behind barbed wire during WWII. The band consists of 17 musicians and 2 vocalists. Three of our band members were actually interned during WWII and several of our band members had parents, grandparents and other family members interned.
Our big band plays at festivals, concerts in the park, schools, retirement homes, and special events such as weddings, retirements, holiday parties and more. We have played at special events and concerts in Seattle, Puyallup and Vancouver, WA; Portland Metro area, Hood River, The Dalles, Astoria, Salem, and Eugene, OR; San Francisco, San Mateo, Mountain View/San Jose, and Sacramento, CA;
Special performances and concerts during our 2015 Japan tour. Tokyo, Yokohama, Iwaki-City, Minamisoma, and Gotemba.
We are a not-for-profit swing band associated with the Portland Japanese American Citizens League. All donations are tax deductible…Non-profit Portland JACL – EIN 201116631.
UPDATE: The Minidoka Swing Band is ready to do performances/gigs for 2022-2023!!! Please email Laura, Band manager, to book us today! lcbaxter@frontier.com
NEXT EVENTS – Open to the public:
December 7, 2022 – 12:00noon to 1:00pm, Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205 / Open to the public and Admission is free.
(December 10, 2022, PRIVATE event at Summerplace Clubhouse)
(December 16, 2022, PRIVATE event at the Embassy Suites for Price Financial Group)
December 18, 2022, 2:00-3:00pm at Arcadia Senior Living, 13031 SE Foster Rd. Portland, OR 97236 / Open to the public and Amission is Free
Audio only podcast: Drop-in Session with the Minidoka Swing Band – Portland Radio Project (prp.fm)
**Listen to our great tribute to the Nissei veterans of WWII honoring the release of the USPS Go For Broke Nissei Stamp #StampOurStory