2011/03/30
Yoko Ono (Photo by Yuki Kuroyanagi)NEW YORK--The first in a series of concerts to support relief efforts in disaster-stricken Japan kicked off Sunday at Columbia University, with Yoko Ono, John Zorn and other artists performing.
Ono, widow of ex-Beatle John Lennon, her son Sean Lennon, saxophone player Zorn, rock band Sonic Youth, singer/songwriter Akiko Yano and two other artists played at the Miller Theater.
Ryuichi Sakamoto (Photo by Yuki Kuroyanagi)The seven artists exhorted survivors of the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami to not give up hope and said God would be looking out for them.
The series of five concerts through April 9 was proposed by Zorn, who lived in Japan for a time.
New York-based artists, including Norah Jones and Ryuichi Sakamoto, will perform in subsequent concerts.
Tickets sold out within 48 hours after the concerts were announced.
Japanese composer Aya Nishina, who belongs to the same label as Zorn, is from Sendai, the capital of Miyagi Prefecture where damage was extensive.
Zorn said the concerts are designed not only to raise donations for victims, but to help people bond and heal.
Nishina said, "I want to say to the victims not to work too hard and we can move step by step together."
Proceeds from the concerts will be donated to the Japan Society, which is among the largest Japan-U.S. friendship organizations.
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