Fresh from his stellar performance at the Davie Jazz Festival in Florida, Jamaican tenor and cultural ambassador Steve Higgins is set to embark on a new adventure, this time in Asia. In May 2024, Higgins will land in Tokyo, Japan, ready to share the vibrant sounds of Jamaican Folk Songs.
While in Japan, Higgins will perform in concert halls in Tokyo and Tottori, among other selected venues, offering a full 75-minute concert of Jamaica’s rhythmic and pulsating folk music. Japanese audiences, known for their deep appreciation of Jamaica’s culture, are eagerly anticipating his arrival.
This music tour is a collaborative effort involving the Embassy of Jamaica in Tokyo and Japan’s Min-On Concert Association, with support from the Japan Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Tottori Prefectural Government. The concerts in Tokyo and Tottori Prefecture commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Jamaica.
Celebrated Japanese operatic soprano Ms. Yukari Kiyono and distinguished pianist Mr. Mitsuru Hirose will join Higgins for these highly anticipated commemorative events. The Japanese community’s response to this series has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
In addition to his concerts, Higgins will visit Iwami High School in Tottori, engaging with students and enjoying performances of Jamaican music by the school’s Blue Martin Jazz Orchestra. This cultural exchange will culminate in a joint performance, including Bob Marley’s iconic song “One Love.” Higgins’ visit complements his annual workshops on Jamaican Folk music, which he conducts at universities, museums, and schools across the Jamaican Diaspora.
Japan excited to host Higgins
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Higgins to Japan for this Jamaican cultural showcase,” said H.E. Shorna-Kay Richards, Jamaican Ambassador to Japan. “I look forward to the nostalgia he will bring through his spirited performance of Jamaica’s folk music.” Mr. Toshiaki Matsuo, Min-On’s Director of International Relations, added, “We all love Jamaica and its vibrant music and culture! We’ve had excellent collaborations with Jamaican musicians before, and Higgins’ visit will be no different.”
Higgins himself is thrilled about the tour. “I am honored to have received this invitation to Japan and look forward to delivering exhilarating performances, including a tribute to the incomparable Harry Belafonte!” he said. “This year, we bring love from the Land of Wood and Water to the Land of the Rising Sun during this special anniversary year for the people of Jamaica and Japan.”
Steve Higgins Productions has showcased Jamaican Folk music across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, and the United Kingdom. Besides Folk songs, Higgins performs Jazz, Ballads, Standards, Broadway tunes, Sacred music, Italian Arias, and popular Jamaican genres. His concerts attract diverse audiences globally, as he continues to promote Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.
He was recently awarded with a Proclamation from his hometown of Davie, Florida as an outstanding Musician. He also received Special Congressional Recognition by the United States Congress for outstanding and invaluable service to Communities.
