Excellencies,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening and welcome to the Jazz Concert. The Permanent Mission of Japan has the great pleasure to present this jazz performance by Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi and the Quartet featuring Mr. Lew Tabackin.

This is the third music event that we have had the pleasure of hosting this year, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Japan’s membership in the United Nations. In May, a classical concert by a full orchestra of young Asian musicians　known as “Asian Artists & Concert” was held at the UN General Assembly Hall. In November, the Japanese Imperial Court music called gagaku, whose origin dates back to the 6th century, was performed at the Japan Society.

For jazz fans, Ms. Akiyoshi and her husband, Mr. Tabackin, require no introduction. But for those without deep familiarity with this area of music, Ms. Akiyoshi has received numerous jazz honors and awards, and most recently received the highest honor bestowed upon jazz musicians by the U.S. Government: She has been selected as one of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters for 2007. This title, which has been given to artists in recognition of their exceptional contributions to jazz since 1982, has only been conferred upon 80 other jazz artists before Ms. Akiyoshi.

Mr. Tabackin has also won numerous awards, including first place in flute in the prestigious Downbeat Critics’ Poll and the Downbeat Readers’ Poll on several occasions, and has established himself as a major saxophone and flute artist.

Out of a sense of goodwill　and respect for the UN, Ms. Akiyoshi and Mr. Tabackin have kindly agreed to perform at the UN this evening, taking time out of their extremely busy performance schedules. For this we are deeply grateful, and thank them for their tremendous gesture. I also wish to thank the Secretariat for allowing us to use this venue for the performance.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have mentioned that we in Japan are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our joining the UN this year. It is also delightful coincidence that Ms. Akiyoshi’s career as a jazz musician spans 60 years and thus coincides exactly with the history of the United Nations itself.

Out of these 60 years, Ms. Akiyoshi has spent exactly 50 in the US. Already having earned a reputation as a talented young pianist, she came from Japan to the US 50 years ago, in 1956, on a full scholarship for further music study, the same year that Japan became a member of the United Nations. Since then, she has steadily established herself as a well-known, respected jazz pianist and composer. So in celebrating our 50 years’ membership in the UN, we are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ms. Akiyoshi’s performance career in the US. On this achievement, we extend our sincere congratulations!

One more happy coincidence ? I am pleased to note that today, 12 December, is Ms. Akiyoshi’s birthday! A happy birthday to you, Ms. Akiyoshi!

We are proud that for the past 50 years Japan has been a member of the UN with a deep commitment to the Organization’s ideals and objectives, and has made significant efforts to contribute to achieving those ideals and objectives, working together with all other Member States. In this anniversary year, we renew this commitment and reaffirm our resolve to continue our strong efforts ? for peace, peacekeeping, disarmament and non-proliferation, development, humanitarian and human rights issues, the environment, and many, many other important endeavors.

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I hope you will enjoy the concert. Please join us for the reception that will follow in the Delegates Dining Room. Thank you.