Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

EBISU GARDEN PLACE, Japan -- Band of the Pacific-Asia jazz combo "Final Approach" plays for over 250 people at the Cherry Blossom Centennial opening, Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 31, 2012. Despite the weather, Final Approach successfully completed thier mission with much audience participation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)

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Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

EBISU GARDEN PLACE, Japan -- One of the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces trumpet players plays along side SrA William Pressgrove, Band of the Pacific Asia vocalist, at the Cherry Blossom Centennial opening, Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 31, 2012. "The joint performance symbolizes the Japan-U.S. friendship," stated Mr. Masato Yagi, Band of the Pacific-Asia community relations specialist. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)

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Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

EBISU GARDEN PLACE, Japan -- An audience member claps and sings along to Final Approach's performance of "Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana" at the Cherry Blossom Centennial opening, Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 31, 2012. Many Japanese showed familiarity with the modern interpetations of two Japanese traditional songs the band played by clapping and singing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)

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Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

EBISU GARDEN PLACE, Japan -- Master Sgt. Paula Goetz, Band of the Pacific-Asia vocalist, sings to an audience of over 250 people at the Cherry Blossom Centennial opening, Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 31, 2012. Vocalists, not normally a part of Final Approach, were added for the two traditional Japanese songs the band played. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)

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Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

EBISU GARDEN PLACE -- Takayoshi Ishikawa, a local photographer, attends another Band of the Pacific-Asia performance at the Cherry Blossom Centennial opening, Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 31, 2012.. Ishikawa routinely photographs and videos, always sharing his media with the band. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles)

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Final Approach supports Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

Published April 6, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Josh Voyles
Band of the Pacific-Asia

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- In 1912, Japan sent more than 3000 cherry blossom trees to America to celebrate the nations' growing friendship.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of that event and the Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia was there to celebrate this historical occasion with Japan at the opening of the Sakura Festival hosted by the Foreign Ministry of Japan.

"The Governments of Japan and the United States are marking this important milestone by organizing cultural events on both sides of the Pacific to celebrate grass-roots friendship during cherry-blossom season," typed Gary Schaefer, First North American Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an e-mail to the band.

Final Approach, Band of the Pacific-Asia's jazz combo, performed at the opening of the Cherry Blossom Centennial Saturday March 31st at the Ebisu Garden in Tokyo.

Specifically, FA treated the audience with musical performances of "Get on the Boat," "Game of Love," "Sakura Sakura" and "Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana." In addition, the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces central band provided a brass section and keyboard player, the first time any (JSDF) band members played with Final Approach.

Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial

Final Approach Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial