Once again I am delighted to work with the energetic conductor Lawrence Loh, performing Franz Liszt’s virtuosic Piano Concerto no. 1 in E flat major.

It is my great honor to serve as emcee of the 2025 Annual Dinner of the New York Japan Society, a black- tie event held this year at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel (811 Seventh Avenue).

In 2022 I was the first non-Japanese entertainer hired to perform at this annual dinner, and now I will serve as host and moderator, and throw in a bit of piano playing as well.

25 years ago I walked into the NY Japan Society as a new student in their highly-regarded language program. I was 40 years old then, and I am sadly still far from “pera pera” (fluent) in Nihongo. But the wonderful teachers at the Japan Society graced with me their time, assistance and inspiration, and opened my life to a stunning array of new and exciting chapters. On June 12th I will attempt to give thanks for all of that, in most glamorous setting, indeed. Ganbarimasu. (I will do my best).

I will play a rare multi-cultural program of impressionist music by French and American composers — Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Francis Poulenc (his enchanting “Soirées de Nazelles”), John Alden Carpenter, Vernon Duke and Dana Suesse (her “Jazz Nocturne” and complete “Cocktail Suite”).