The reunited Shinsei Band members pose in front of a photo from their younger days. (Photo by J.K. Yamamoto)

The release of two remastered recordings by the Shinsei Band resulted in a reunion of the surviving band members on Dec. 6 at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California in San Francisco.

The Shinsei (New Star) Band, which played Japanese songs in the big-band style, was popular in the Bay Area and throughout the West Coast for more than 20 years, starting in the mid-1950s.

The multigenerational group included Issei, Kibei, Nisei and Sansei, and grew into a 13-piece ensemble with seven singers.

In addition to performing at dances, Obon festivals, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and other community events, the band released two albums, “Shinsei Band 10th Anniversary” and “Shinsei Band Daini Shu,” plus a single, “Sakura Matsuri Ondo.”

Kyle Tatsumoto said that the idea of re-releasing the albums on CD started years ago, when he and JCCCNC Executive Director Paul Osaki were among the co-owners of the Nikkei Traditions store in the Japan Center.

Although the original tapes could not be found, Helen Takeshita, wife of the late band member Kenji Takeshita, discovered two albums that were in pristine condition, still sealed in their packages.

Tatsumoto used his connections in Hawaii to have the CDs produced by Cord International, which specializes in preserving, restoring and releasing out-of-print classic recordings.

The result is two CDs that sound as if they were recorded yesterday, he said.

The liner notes were researched and written by Lewis Kawahara, the Takeshitas’ son-in-law.

Tatsumoto said he was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the band members were still alive and able to attend the CD launch party.

Osaki remembered being taken by his grandmother, who ran Kinmon Gakuen, to see the Shinsei Band when he was a child. He introduced the band’s founder and leader, Johnny Taniguchi, and long-time members Tsutomu Matsushita (vocals) and Kenny Kato (trombone).

Speaking in Japanese with Diane Matsuda serving as interpreter, Taniguchi, who live in Vacaville, and Matsushita, who lives in Monterey, said it was a pleasure to see their former colleagues as they now live far apart and rarely get together.

They also paid tribute to band members that have passed away: Kenji Takeshita (vocals, bass), Nobuko Hoshi (vocals), Dane Kato (trombone), Hiro Nakada (mandolin), and Jimmy Sujishi (guitar).

Kenny Kato, whose parents and brother were in the band, recalled an unusual childhood, traveling and performing with his family.

Other band members who attended: Yone Fukui (trumpet), Cynthia Hamada (vocals), Sumiko Hamada (vocals), Fusaye Kato (vocals), Gary Kato (saxophone), Nick Nakai (saxophone), Eddie Oshiro (vocals, saxophone), and Ko Takemoto (clarinet).

The musicians signed CDs and posed for group photos as they got reacquainted with old friends.

To order the CD, contact the JCCCNC at (415) 567-5505 or visit www.jcccnc.org.