Asakayama Hospital - Osaka, Japan
August 29, 2009In the midst of touring and school visits, Jake also visited a Hospital in Osaka on his Japan Fureai Tour. Asakayama Hospital is dedicated to helping their patients recover and understands how music truly is good medicine. They have a group of staff and patients who gather together and make music as a type of music therapy.
Jake practiced with this clan consisting of drummers drumming on wooden boxes, a lead singer playing the guitar, and even a tambourine player!
They played songs like The Beatle’s, “Yellow Submarine” and interestingly added their own Japanese flare to it. The group was so enthralled to be having this jam session with Jake as they all brought various items for him to sign. Later that day the band was ready to perform in front of patients, family and friends. After the band played an awesome performance, Jake played some solo songs like “Me and Shirley T” and a new arrangement that transitioned from, “Piano-Forte” to “Let’s Dance”!
Then the audience pulled out lyrics to “Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo” and sang along as Jake played. With everyone in the audience singing and involved, the room felt like everyone, no matter their differences, was connected and emitted a warm atmosphere. The staff was so grateful and presented Jake with gifts and flowers after his performance. Mahalo to everyone at Asakayama Hospital for allowing us to use music as good medicine!
