駒沢公園に出かける
フリータイムが出来ると、駒沢公園に出かけるのが好きです。私の家の近くなので、１日過ごすには丁度いい。東京人は、仕事を頑張りすぎます。物価も高いし、義理だらけの社会。ちょっと考えてみても、ストレスだらけの生活ですよね！でも、ここはそのストレスを発散させるには持ってこいの場所なのです。ここに来る人たちは、みんなリラックスして楽しんでいます。私が一番好きな場所は、ドッグラン。犬の大きさで分けられていて、安全でワンちゃん達は楽しんでいます。それから、最近出来た子供達のためのバイクレーンで沢山の子供達が遊べます。この日は、スチールドラムやアフリカのタイコ「ボンゴ」の練習をしている人やバスケット、日光浴などそれぞれにみんな楽しんでいました。駒沢公園は、私のオアシス。東京に住んでいるなら、絶対お薦めですよ！
In my free time in Tokyo I like to go to Komazawa park. It is near my home and it is the perfect place to spend a day in Tokyo. Originally built for the Tokyo Olympics, today it is a place for Tokyoites to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city where too many people are stressed out on a daily basis due to overwork, the high cost of living, and the obligations of being a Japanese, just to name a few! Visit Komazawa park and you will see people everywhere relaxing and having a good time. I love the Dog Run, which has separate sections depending on the size of your dog. They also recently added a kiddies bike lane. On Sunday a group were playing the steel drums, while others played bongos, basketball, sunbathed, you name it. More diverse than you might think, Komazawa park is my oasis. If you are in Tokyo, check it out.
In my free time in Tokyo I like to go to Komazawa park. It is near my home and it is the perfect place to spend a day in Tokyo. Originally built for the Tokyo Olympics, today it is a place for Tokyoites to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city where too many people are stressed out on a daily basis due to overwork, the high cost of living, and the obligations of being a Japanese, just to name a few! Visit Komazawa park and you will see people everywhere relaxing and having a good time. I love the Dog Run, which has separate sections depending on the size of your dog. They also recently added a kiddies bike lane. On Sunday a group were playing the steel drums, while others played bongos, basketball, sunbathed, you name it. More diverse than you might think, Komazawa park is my oasis. If you are in Tokyo, check it out.
NHK ラジオ番組のリハーサル
今日は、フルオーケストラが入るくらい大きなスタジオで、今度出演するラジオ番組のリハーサルをしました。そこには、スタンウェイのピアノが設置していて、私の伴奏者「デイビッド・チェスター」は誠心誠意をピアノに込めて演奏してくれました。どんなアーティストでもこんな経験をする事が出来るといいですね！今回、神崎ゆう子さん（歌のお姉さんで有名）と一緒にデュエットします。彼女はとても優しく、素晴らしい才能の持ち主です。そして番組のメインキャストは村上信夫アナウンサーです。この日は、NHK国際放送のニュース番組で放送するための収録もありました。NHKラジオ第一「ラジオビタミン」９月２２日（火）朝１０時０５分から１１時５０分まで出演しますのでお聞き逃し無く！！そして、NHK国際放送ニュース内では私の活動を放送します。放送日は９月２５日（日本国内では、インターネットのみで見る事が出来ます）
Today we had a really great rehearsal for the upcoming NHK Radio Special. We got to rehearse in a huge rehearsal room that can hold full orchestras. Singing in there with David Chester, my pianist, pouring his heart into the Steinway, is the kind of experience every artist should have. I will be doing Duets as well with Yuko Kanzaki, everyone's favorite big sister in Japan. She is a sweet and great talent. Nobuo Murakami is the announcer. The rehearsal was also taped for an upcoming international news program. We will be performing Autumn songs live on the program, so please catch it if you are in Japan! NHK Radio 1, "Radio Vitamin" September 22, 10:05 to 11:50 AM. XXX Greg
Today we had a really great rehearsal for the upcoming NHK Radio Special. We got to rehearse in a huge rehearsal room that can hold full orchestras. Singing in there with David Chester, my pianist, pouring his heart into the Steinway, is the kind of experience every artist should have. I will be doing Duets as well with Yuko Kanzaki, everyone's favorite big sister in Japan. She is a sweet and great talent. Nobuo Murakami is the announcer. The rehearsal was also taped for an upcoming international news program. We will be performing Autumn songs live on the program, so please catch it if you are in Japan! NHK Radio 1, "Radio Vitamin" September 22, 10:05 to 11:50 AM. XXX Greg
ウィスコンシン州オークレア市に住んでいる家族
８月、私はウィスコンシン州オークレア市に住んでいる家族と一緒に過ごし、長年の友人とも逢う事が出来ました。オークレア市は、ミネソタ州ミネアポリス市から約１時間３０分の所にあります。私の母、姉、兄がそれぞれの家族と一緒に住んでいます。今回は本当に大切な時間を過ごす事が出来ました。家族と一緒の時に何をすべきか、そんなことは問題ではありません。大切なのは、自分が頑張って家族と一緒の時間を作る事。私の母の情熱は「フラワーガーデン」今年の庭は、まるで天国みたいでした。それと、新しい樹木も庭へ植えました。みんなが元気でいる、それ以外に大事なものはない。そう思いませんか？そんな事を思いながら、私は気楽なスローライフを存分に過ごしました。
This August I was lucky to be able to spend time with my family in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and also reconnect with some old and cherished friends. Eau Claire is about an hour and a half from Minneapolis, Minnesota. My mom, sister and brother live there with their families. This time we were able to spend a lot of quality time together. It doesn't really matter what you do when you are with your family, the important thing is that you make the effort and spend time together. My mother's passion is her flower garden. It was heavenly this year. I also planted more trees and bushes in the yard. We had a slow and easy August and everyone is well. What more can you ask for?
This August I was lucky to be able to spend time with my family in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and also reconnect with some old and cherished friends. Eau Claire is about an hour and a half from Minneapolis, Minnesota. My mom, sister and brother live there with their families. This time we were able to spend a lot of quality time together. It doesn't really matter what you do when you are with your family, the important thing is that you make the effort and spend time together. My mother's passion is her flower garden. It was heavenly this year. I also planted more trees and bushes in the yard. We had a slow and easy August and everyone is well. What more can you ask for?
２つとないニューヨーク！
私は、ニューヨークがずっと好きでした。高校生の時、演劇部仲間と初めて訪れました。「ピピン」、「ア・リトルナイト・ミュージック」のオリジナル版やもう忘れてしまったミュージカルもたくさん観たのを思い出します。私は人生で、２度ニューヨークに引越すことを考えましたが、様々な条件が重なり、結局ホノルルと東京に引越したのです。ニューヨークへ引越す事が出来なかったので、時間に余裕があるときは、必ず訪れる事にしています。私にとって、ニューヨークは「メッカ」のような場所。自分の一番大きな夢と希望を思い出させてくれる所。今回訪れて、「ジャージー・ボーイズ」「イン・ザ・ハイツ」「ネクスト・トゥー・ノーマル」を鑑賞しました。そして、バードランドのキャスト・パーティーへも行きました。ニューヨークで一番好きな場所は、セントラル・パーク内にあるボートハウスです。そこに来る人たちは、何故か皆穏やかな表情で落ち着いている所が気に入っています。良いか？悪いか？ニューヨークのような所は他に無いのです！
I have always loved New York City. The first time I visited New York was with my Drama class in High School. I saw the original productions of Pippin and A Little Night Music, along with shows that have now been forgotten. I planned on moving to New York two times but circumstances brought me to Honolulu and Tokyo instead, cities that have other things to offer. Since I have not yet had the chance to live in New York, I like to visit whenever I can. For me, it is my Mecca, a place where I can go to be inspired and remember my greatest dreams and aspirations. This time I saw Jersey Boys, In the Heights, and Next to Normal on Broadway. Also I checked out Cast Party at Birdland. My favorite place in New York is the Boat House in Central Park. Everyone is relaxed there and in a good mood. I hope you visit soon. Good or bad, there is no place like New York!
I have always loved New York City. The first time I visited New York was with my Drama class in High School. I saw the original productions of Pippin and A Little Night Music, along with shows that have now been forgotten. I planned on moving to New York two times but circumstances brought me to Honolulu and Tokyo instead, cities that have other things to offer. Since I have not yet had the chance to live in New York, I like to visit whenever I can. For me, it is my Mecca, a place where I can go to be inspired and remember my greatest dreams and aspirations. This time I saw Jersey Boys, In the Heights, and Next to Normal on Broadway. Also I checked out Cast Party at Birdland. My favorite place in New York is the Boat House in Central Park. Everyone is relaxed there and in a good mood. I hope you visit soon. Good or bad, there is no place like New York!
「第１７回日本のふるさと音楽祭」
先月１９日に、鳥取市で行われた「第１７回日本のふるさと音楽祭」にゲスト出演しました。このイベントには、たくさんの合唱団やコーラスグループが参加し、日本の童謡を歌います。今回、私とピアノ伴奏者「デイビッド・チェスター」とチェロ奏者「斉藤静」とで、鳥取県に訪れる事が出来てとても嬉しかったです。最後には、鳥取市少年少女合唱団のみんなと一緒に「春の小川」と「故郷」を歌いました。鳥取は、海の側にある砂丘が有名ですが、人々の心の暖かさでも有名になれる気がします。訪れて思うのですが、鳥取の人達は、本当の日本の心を理解して、毎日を過ごしている様に思います。鳥取の皆さんに感謝、そしてありがとう！
Recently I performed for the 17th Japan "Furusato" Festival in Tottori prefecture. This is an event where several chorus groups of all ages appear and perform traditional Japanese songs. I was delighted to visit Tottori again, along with my Pianist, David Chester and Cellist, Shizuka Saito. For the finale, I sang "Whisper, Whisper Little Stream" and "My Country Home " with the Tottori Boys and Girls Chorus group. Tottori is famous for Sand Dunes next to the ocean but it should be more famous for it's warm hearted people who still understand the meaning of the Japanese heart and practice it in their daily lives. I would like to express my gratitude to the city and the residents of Tottori, Japan!
Recently I performed for the 17th Japan "Furusato" Festival in Tottori prefecture. This is an event where several chorus groups of all ages appear and perform traditional Japanese songs. I was delighted to visit Tottori again, along with my Pianist, David Chester and Cellist, Shizuka Saito. For the finale, I sang "Whisper, Whisper Little Stream" and "My Country Home " with the Tottori Boys and Girls Chorus group. Tottori is famous for Sand Dunes next to the ocean but it should be more famous for it's warm hearted people who still understand the meaning of the Japanese heart and practice it in their daily lives. I would like to express my gratitude to the city and the residents of Tottori, Japan!
