English Blog : Junko Ueno Garrett, A Los Angeles Kawai Artist

A Movie “My Week with Marilyn” 3/5/12 March 12, 2012

I had a few free hours last Monday so I went to see a movie “My Week with Marilyn”. It is a story of a struggling, difficult, charming and cute actress who was a hottest girl in the world back then. And truly Marilyn Monroe still has a big status. In the early summer of 1956, […]

My Mission to Introduce Japanese Music to the World 3/4/12 March 4, 2012

I performed/presented “A Piano Journey in Japan: Import, Synthesis, and Export – From the First Piano Piece in Japan to Game Music” at Occidental College yesterday. Fortunately the hall (small and cozy, Bird Studio) was packed, and the audience was interested in listening music and learning Japanese culture and history. I have been doing Japanese […]

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 2/17/12 February 18, 2012

I usually write about books in my Book Reviews, but this book is so strong that I decided to write in my blogs. This book has been Bestsellers for weeks, and I was very excited to start reading it. It is a documentary, a science history, a racism in America, a family history, humanity, poverty, and […]

My Concert “Piano Journey in Japan: Import, Synthesis, and Export – From the First Piano Piece in Japan to the Game Music” 2/12/12 February 12, 2012

I will perform “Piano Journey in Japan: Import, Synthesis, and Export – From the First Piano Piece in Japan to the Game Music” on Saturday March 3rd at 3pm at Occidental College’s Bird Studio. This program has received the grant from the Japan Foundation. I have been introducing our wonderful Japanese music to the world […]

Hilary Hahn Bach CD 2/11/12 February 12, 2012

I simply quit listening the radio news while I am driving. I have noticed I listen those news mindlessly. So now I take some CDs, especially strings, singers, orchestras, usually not piano CDs with me, and enjoy first class musicians playing for me in my car. One of my favorites is Hilary Hahn’s Bach CD, partitas. I […]

My Music Journey with Bach’s Goldberg Variations 1/30/12 January 30, 2012

I have done my 4th journey on Bach: Goldberg Variations at Carrolwood Cultural Center in Tampa, FL, last Saturday. I have been writing about this piece for several times on this site, and you have read my confession before, yes, it has been a long journey to reach to here. Diligent practice on separate hands, […]

A Movie “Norwegian Wood” 1/19/12 January 19, 2012

I, again, went to Laemmle Theater’s Sneak Preview for “Norwegian Wood” in Beverly Hills. It has been advertised well so many people came. With a bit of drive from my part of town to Beverly Hills, I got there only few minutes to the starting time. I got in the line. And the bad news!! The theater […]

A Movie – The Artist 1/17/12 January 17, 2012

I visited NoHo Laemmle Theater, just opened 3 weeks ago, to see “The Artist”. The theater is located in the heart of NoHo area, surrounded by restaurants and theaters. I loved this new cinema. It was fun to walk around after the movie. “The Artist” is charming, fun, creative, artistic, and exciting with amazing acting. […]

A Movie “Music is the Weapon” 12/12/11 December 13, 2011

I went to the preview of “Music is the Weapon” at Playhouse 7 of Laemmle Theater. It is a documentary film about Fela Kuti, a legendary Nigerian musician. The film was made in 1982, I suppose when he was at his height. He was not only an inspiring musician, but also a person of strong view […]

A Great Memory of Hamp and Leo 11/29/11 November 29, 2011

I used to live in Houston, TX, before moving to LA. Houston was my first American city to live. I studied at Shepherd School of Music at Rice University for my DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts degree), and taught at Rice University’s Pre College School. Also I was a staff accompanist at HSPVA. I met […]