When Kermit Stewart arrived in Japan in 1945 he immediately began making friend with Japanese musicians/. He did many piano recitals around the country, often accomanying Asakura Haruko san who was a leading opera soprano.
He made many recordings as a pianist with other musicians.
In April 1947, after just 18 months in Japan, he condusted an all Gershwin concert at the Royal Theater. He was the first foreigner after WWII to conduct the orchestra, and had learned Japanese to the extent that he needed no interpreter to address the orchestra..
The first two songs weer sung by his friend Asakura Haruko san.
A featured performer was 13 year old Hirata Michi san, a child prodigy pianist. She is now Mrs/ North, living in Oregon