Wesley Jazz Ensemble

WESLEY JAZZ ENSEMBLE
 
FROM: Wayne Adachi, Wesley Jazz Ensemble
DATE: October 25, 2025
RE: Wesley Jazz Ensemble: Annual Wesley UMC 2025 Charge Conference Report

Purpose of the Wesley Jazz Ensemble (“WJE”):  The jazz ensemble provides a variety of high-energy songs and musical performances for senior centers, social organizations, and community events in the San Jose area.  For those especially in the senior centers, this could be a special and only opportunity for  live music (from the past and present) at their own respective locations, where there could be mobility concerns and issues

WJE History
The band was originally formed in 1996 by then Scoutmaster Wayne Adachi for Wesley’s Boy Scout Troop 201. The band’s first performance was for Reverend Peter Chen’s Retirement Party at the Scottish Rites Temple.  As the scouts completed their scouting program, the only ones remaining were the adult leaders from which other musicians from the Church and community were added to form today’s jazz ensemble.  The Band’s music consists of jazz, blues, Latin, popular, rock and roll, Motown, ballads, Japanese pop charts and most recently rap versions.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all WJE performances were cancelled from 2020 until 2023.  However, the band was restarted in mid-2023..

WJE 2025 Performances:
1) March 2025: Yu-Ai Kai 51st Anniversary Celebration; estimated attendance @ 300
2) April 2025: Nikkei Matsuri, community event that featured community “volunteers” dancing to Shake a Tail Feather, including the Lotus Pre-schoolers; estimated attendance @ 225      
3) May 2025: Japantown Returnings in collaboration with Japanese American Museum of San Jose and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene which told the history of San Jose Japantown (1890 to the present): performing to two sold out performances totaling over 450 attendees
4) October 2025: Keiro Kai Dinner, celebrating our Japanese American seniors, including a highlight where there were over 80 line dancers for Saints Go Marching In; attendance @ 275
5) December 2025: Yu Ai Kai Christmas/Holiday performance; estimated attendance 50
6) December 2025: Wesley Church Christmas/Holiday for monthly potluck; estimated attendance125

Evaluation as to successfulness of program:  As director of WJE, I feel that our performances are entertaining with high-energy/toe-tapping music, inviting audience participation for a favorable response by generating positive enthusiasm.  WJE consists of 20 members, comprised of some of the best Church and Nikkei musicians.  The band’s main highlight for 2025 was the collaboration for Japantown Returnings which was performed in May 2025; if interested a YouTube recording was produced by Henry Nakata from J-Town Community TV which is attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrjEsepOzE.  While there are no current plans, we are considering presenting this special play again in 2026.

Financial Impact:  WJE provides music free of any costs. If an honorarium is received in the name of the Band, all funds are donated to Wesley Church for its general fund.

Current and Future Plans:  The band will continue to perform for various community functions in 2026.  For 2026, a new event will be the Good Carma (car show) at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple in September 2026 where there will be on display over 70 classic cars.  The band expects to include songs such as Route 66, Mustang Sally, and Low Rider.

Wesley Jazz Ensemble Members:
Wayne Adachi, Director/Trombone
Ted Hasegawa, Trumpet/Vocals
Dave Brown, Trombone/Audio Supervision
Duane Takahashi, Alto Sax
Melina Takahashi, Alto Sax/Flute
Len Fujita, Tenor Sax
Michael Yoshihara, Bari Sax
Wendy Horikoshi, Flute/Vocals
Grant Shimizu, Lead Guitar
Peter Horikoshi, Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Ichiro Bakoshi, Bass
Todd Soo Hoo, Drums
Marilyn Hasegawa, Keyboard
Kirk Tamura, Keyboard
Ryan Miyahara, percussion/drums/bass
Shizuko Adachi, Vocals
Dave Land, Vocals/MC
Mark Teagle, Vocals
Chris Hioki, Special Assistant/Audio Technician
Kikue Johnson, Special Design and Marketing