442nd Band Toots Into Shape

With many a wheeze, experimental toots and cracked lips, the regimental band of the Japanese American Combat Team is slowly taking shape at Camp Shelby.

Sgt. Jun Yamamoto, who is organizing the band, is hopeful however, and even loquacious about the talent he already has recruited. “Most of the players came from Hawaii,” he said, “and there’s something about Hawaii that makes plenty of men natural-born musicians. A few of them had their own bands in the islands.”

Sgt. Harry Hamada, who has his own Hawaiian orchestra in the Combat Team, will play the saxophone and string bass in the new unit. Yamamoto expects to have a 40-piece band and a 13-piece orchestra to swing it on social occasions.

Pvt. Herbert Odagawa, from the Field Artillery Battalion, doubles in saxophone and coronet. Back in Hawaii he had a 12-piece orchestra which used to enchant hearers, especially by moonlight. Pvt. Vic Nakamoto, another versatile player, we’ll tote and toot the bass horn but be ready to seize a flute or clarinet at the sign of a wavering note.

From the mainland come Pvt. George Eto who brayed a horn in the Fifth Cavalry band at Fort Bliss, Texas, and Pvt. Paul Higaki who had a dance band at the Granada Relocation center at Amache, Colorado. Capt. Samuel E. Mear, musical director of the 4th Service command, is assisting in the organization of the band.