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. We were founded by the late Roberta “Robbie” Tsuboi in 2007.
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 2023-2024!!! Please email Laura, Band manager, to book us today! lcbaxter@frontier.com
NEXT EVENTS – Open to the public:
.July 9, 2023, Cogir at The Quarry, 415 SE 177th Ave, {4:00pm-5:00pm} | Vancouver, WA
Aug. 19, 2023, King City Senior Village, 11777 SW Queen Elizabeth St. {2:30-3:40pm} | King City, OR
Oct. 7, 2023, Fairlawn Village, 3457 SE Division St. {2:00pm – 3:00pm} | King City, OR
Dec. 7, 2022, Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave. {12:00-1:00pm}| Portland, OR
(Upcoming Private events on August 26, November 4, December 9 and December 15 in 2023)
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