Jazz Pianist Mike Del Ferro and vocalist Deborah Brown - collectively known as the American Voices - performed two concerts in Okinawa on Dec. 3 and Dec. 5.

On Dec. 3, the duo entertained 170 guests at the Nago City American Corner. On Dec. 5, they performed in Okinawa City before an appreciative audience of more than 150 people.

During intermission, Okinawa City Deputy Mayor Takara presented PAO FrankStanley with the proceeds from an earlier charity concert held in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Stanley expressed appreciation to those people who madecontributions at the concert - as well as earlier contribution by OkinawaPrefecture, Naha City and a number of private citizens in Okinawa. He noted that, through the generosity of Okinawa, the City of New Orleans is slowly but surely recovering.

Mike del Ferro, a pianist, composer and arranger, has collaborated with the American Voices organization since 2001 and has participated in dozens of jazz projects in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. As Jazz Program Director for American Voices, he has helped put together a repertoire of "Jazz from J to Z" that provides a great overview of the origins of American jazz.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brown has musical talents that have propelled her from coast to coast in the USA, eventually leading her to Japan, Indonesia and other East Asian locations, and culminating in a 12-year residency in Europe. Performing in nightclubs, concerts, jazz festivals, on television and radio soundstages, Deborah has made a name for herself with appearances inmore than 50 countries around the world. She has recorded 11 albums as a lead singer and has been featured on numerous other recordings as a special guest soloist.