Iowa Public Television

NHK World Special

TOMORROW BEYOND 3/11 Special: Bob James Puts Hearts Together (#24)

TOMORROW BEYOND 3/11 is a new documentary series of occasional specials from NHK WORLD TV, starting in April 2012. Each program focuses on Japan as it embarks on the long road to reconstruction, following the March 11 disaster of last year. In each special, musicians, actors, designers, scholars and other prominent people from overseas are invited to Japan to share their observations of the country in its post-disaster period. In this first program, BOB JAMES PUTS HEARTS TOGETHER, world renowned jazz pianist Bob James visited Morioka City in northern Japan last September to take part in a jazz festival. The city was one of the hardest hit by the March 11 disaster. He composed a special piece, "PUT YOUR HEARTS TOGETHER," dedicated it to the disaster victims, and played it with local amateur jazz musicians, who were also victims of the disaster. Three months later, he visited Japan again and le arned that his music had since provided emotional support to many, including the amateur musicians themselves. They all were once living in fear and despair, but are now getting back on their feet again --- thanks to Bob James dedication and his music. [56 minutes]

This episode has not aired in the past few months on Iowa Public Television.