On the eve of his performance in Washington, popular African-American ‘‘enka’’ singer Jero said Friday he is eager to make Japanese ballads popular in the United States. ‘‘I sure wish to promote the genre of enka to a lot of people,’’ he said at a news conference when asked on performing enka songs at the opening ceremony Saturday of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival in the U.S. capital.
‘‘I hope American people will feel charm in enka and its melodies, though there is a difference in language,’’ said Jero, 27, in fluent Japanese.
Jero is scheduled to sing three of his songs, which have become major hits in Japan, at the opening ceremony, probably including ‘‘Umiyuki’’ (Ocean Snow), about a heartbroken woman and her unrequited love. This year’s festival runs through April 12.
He said he feels really honored to be invited to the festival.
‘‘I have wanted to sing enka before the American people,’’ he said. ‘‘I do have an uneasy feeling, though, because this is my first time to sing enka at an event like this in the United States.’’
A type of Japanese ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
credits: meoinkie2@asianfanatics
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