Photo credit: Janet Donovan
The Ambassador of Japan wasn’t shy about showing off his linguistic skills last night at the launch party at his residence for the 10th Anniversary of the DC Jazz Festival.
“For a Japanese trying to understand English, I find Jazz language very interesting,” said Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae. “I read that Jazz musicians call each other ‘cats’ and if you understand something completely you ‘dig it’ and a ‘pad’ is a place where you live. So, in the spirit of the evening, we welcome all of you cats to our pad and we really dig that you are here.”
Ambassador and Mrs. Sasae
The DC Jazz Festival was established in 2005 by Grammy Award-Winning Producer Charles Fishman.
“Presenting an outstanding line-up of internationally renowned and respected ‘veterans’ as well as rising stars and emerging artists from all corners of the world, the Festival continues to offer a highly-entertaining and enriching potpourri of straight-ahead, Latin, traditional, funk, world, big band, swing, blues, and a cappella jazz while reaching the broadest possible demographic in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area, as well as increasing numbers of out-of-town visitors,” according to the mission statement.
Calvin Cafritz and Finlay Lewis
Renowned Jazz artist Sadao Watanabe stole the night with many standing ovations and encores. Guests were treated to his latest album Come Today.
Hollywood on the Potomac invites all you ‘cats’ to the ‘pad’ of The Embassy of Japan. We hope you ‘dig it.’
