It is often easy to remember suffering and need when the images of those who are injured flicker across our television screens at night. Yet no disaster area is made whole again in merely a week or month or a year.
There is no better example of this then the tragedy of the recent earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan’s western coast where the need is still very high after a month.
And there is also no better example of an enduring attention to compassion within the industry then the Jazz Benefit to be held at New York’s Kitano Hotel on Monday, May 9th.
Surely every jazz lover able to attend will be there as 100% of the very reasonable $50 attendance fee will go directly to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. And in return those present will get to hear many international jazz greats including Joanne Brackeen, Kyoto Ogawa, Barry Harris, Helio Alves, Toshiko Akuyoshi and Soren Molber in two outstanding sets!
Yet all this is just a reflection of the Japanese philosophy of hospitality that has made the Kitano Hotel unique in all of Manhattan.
Opened in 1995 after $55 million in renovation by Tsuguto Kitano, the directing owner of one of Japan’s largest construction companies, elegant yet subtle service has always been the hallmark of the Kitano Hotel – just as in Japan.
For you see, a hotel is just a building if it is without service, without insightful staff, without an indepth attention to their guests' needs. Kindness matters. Caring matters.
That is what makes a hotel truly memorable, truly great. Enjoy the Jazz!
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011
