He’s my new hero and his name is “Jero”. Born Jerome White, a Japanese, black biracial mix from Pittsburgh, USA – he came to Japan with the goal of becoming a traditional Enka singer.
His Japanese grandmother married a U.S. navy man in Yokosuka and she inspired Jero at a young age to sing traditional Enka music.
After graduating college with an “information science” degree Jerome White became an English teacher in the city of Wakayama. Being an English teacher logistically enabled him to pursue a job in his field of study as a computer engineer. His hard work, positive attitude and passion for music caught the eyes and ears of a record label during an audition for NHK singing program.
Jero is the first African-American enka singer in Japanese music history and his debut single “Umiyuki” was a smash hit.
Ladies and gentlemen…I hope you’re sitting down…I bring you Jero:
