Jenna Q and GQ Family
GQ Family (operated by NGO Gospel-Hiroba) is Japan’s biggest Gospel group with more than 2000 members. Jenna, the founder, is a Japanese Christian choir director who believes that
Gospel music is for all people. She joined a choir at an international church on an American base in Tokyo at the age of 19, was inspired by the power of the music and started her own Gospel studio for the local people at the age of 26. Countless other Gospel singers have joined the project to support her vision: “Sing in Unity, Live in Peace.” Our vision is of a world where all people, regardless of race, nationality or faith, can join hands and sing together as one big family. |
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Steve WilkersonSteve is a piano pounding musician that tours between Nashville and the Florida-Alabama Line. Many claim on hearing and seeing him perform, that he “must be the lost son of piano
wizard Jerry Lee Lewis,” as he sings while pounding out a thundering boogie-woogie. His style infuses the classic rockabilly of Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins with the blues and gospel-based boogie-woogie of Ray Charles and Pinetop Perkins. He’s also been music director and bandleader for groups featuring the Amazing Jimmy Mayes (drummer for Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Reed, Pinetop Perkins) and George Cummings (Dr. Hook), as well as a sideman for the nationally noted and acclaimed, Honey Island Swamp Band and John Rich Band (Big and Rich). Steve Wilkerson is also a singer-songwriter-arranger and multi-instrumentalist. His 2013 recording “Made in Mississippi”, garnered a great deal of FM and AM radio airplay throughout the Southeast. Steve not only wrote and arranged all of the songs, he played nearly all of the instruments used on the recording including piano, drums, bass, organ, mandolin and guitar as well as providing the vocals. Steve has been a featured artist on the “Porch Sessions” (Internet TV) and is a regular guest on radio and recording sessions in the southeast. His current record “Made in Mississippi” is available on iTunes, Spotify, and the like online. |
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Argie PhineArgie Phine has wowed the music world in a relentless fashion. She began singing in church at the age of 10. Argie is a native of South Carolina and has a long history in the music industry. She received vocal training for a total of 5 years at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina and Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina. While attending SCSCU she toured with the college choir throughout the United States and with the Benedict College choir in the Caribbean after graduating.
Being a singer of great versatility, Argie freelances as a studio vocalist and is a songwriter for various local artists throughout the United States and Asia. She has shared the stage with musical greats such as Randy Travis and Michael Bolton. Also, with Japan's hottest artists such as Ayumi Hamasaki, Yuki Koyonagi and Oda Yuji. While in Japan Argie appears regularly on Japan's Fuji Television and Tokyo T.V. shows as a background vocalist She does a variety of music from Jazz, R&B, Blues, Motown, Standards, Pop and Oldies. |
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The ConductorsOriginally formed in 2004, The conductors are an international feel good band that plays a wide range of genres, including Acid jazz, Funk, Pop, Soul, Disco, Reggae and Caribbean music.
Always with a full horn section, they perform as a 7 to 10 member unit depending on the occasion and guarantee to bring the party! Whether private party or corporate function, the whole crowd will be on their feet shaking everything they've got on the dance floor before the show is over. |
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Our Emcees
Andrew SilbermanAndrew has been an active member of the ACCJ since 1995, chairing, co-chairing and vice-chairing committees and serving on the board of governors 2012-2014. He currently serves
on the board of directors for ISS, an international school educating kids with special needs. By day he’s President & Chief Enthusiast for Advanced Management Training Group, KK., improving his client's "soft skills" with the firm he co-founded in 1992. By night he's the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Moonshots, a high energy roots rock band currently working on their third album. Tonight, as Andrew again takes on the Master of Ceremonies roll, he hopes to bring some of the Olympic spirit to the evening. He knows that all of you - members and guests of the ACCJ, the "Who’s Who of International Business in Japan" will enjoy the evening!! And thanks all of you for generously supporting ACCJ's selected charities, because, after all, that's a big part of why we're here tonight! |
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Janica SouthwickJanica is a long time – 20 year – resident of Tokyo. She loves everything about Japan, except the damage the subway commute does to her favorite shoes! She would give up chocolate and Netflix binges, but…she is no quitter! After dropping her three minis to school, she owns and operates nail salons, is a motivational speaker and image consultant for
celebrities and executives and dabbles in a bit of corporate advisory work. She is a published author on image and non-verbal communication and comparative cultures and writes for many publications on English education in Japan and is an official top blogger for Ameblo. |
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