We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us earlier this month at the Walters Cultural Arts Center. The turnout was truly overwhelming, and it was a joy to share an evening of music and remembrance with you all. Our program featured favorite tunes from the internment camp bands, blending education with the spirit of… Continue reading Thank You for a Wonderful Evening!

As we get ready for our next performance on Friday, April 4, 2025, we wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at our preparations. Rehearsals are in full swing, and you can catch a short video of Todd Ouchida on trombone. Our special guests, Unite People (the Portland JACL youth group), have been practicing their swing… Continue reading Behind the Scenes: Preparing for Our 4/4/2025 Performance

As you may know, our band began in 2007. But 15 years ago on March 26, 2010, our front page feature in the Wall Street Journal changed the trajectory of the Minidoka Swing Band forever. The international and national spotlight helped lead to tours of Japan and California. As part of the feature, this video… Continue reading 15th Anniversary of Wall Street Journal Feature

Last month, the Minidoka Swing Band debuted a new version of Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In”, a signature song of World War II Japanese American internment. It was sung by Andy Streich and narrated by Elaine Yuzuriha. As told by Manzanar musician Joe Sakai in George Yoshida’s book “Reminiscing in Swingtime”, “…don’t know if… Continue reading Don’t Fence Me In