Japan benefit concert featuring 'This Is It' singer scheduled

ASSIST News Service

Judith Hill

Half-Japanese singer Judith Hill, who performed at Michael Jackson's memorial services, will lead a benefit concert raising funds for Japan at Biola University. The university plans to raise funding for Japan by repurposing its upcoming Women's History month celebration concert through collecting donations to go towards emergency relief -- concert admission is free. The March 24 show, named after the song "For My Sister," which Hill wrote with Japanese pop star "Ai," is open to the general public and will be an evening of soulful music inspired by women and directed by Rique Pantoja.

Singing a duet alongside America's "king of pop", Jackson, in 2009's hit movie "This is It," songstress and alumna Judith Hill has been recognized by millions of people for her performance and talent. Hill will perform "For My Sister" in honor of Japan and sing portions of the song in Japanese.

Hill's mother was an immigrant from Japan and her father is African American --similar to Japanese pop star Ai's bi-racial background whose father was Japanese and mother is half Japanese and half Italian. The two wrote "For My Sister," which is a representation of their sisterhood. One of the main verses reads "When you need a helpin' hand, I'll be there for my sister... and it doesn't matter where you are. You can never be too far. I'll be there for my sister."

The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. on March 24 in Crowell Music Auditorium at Biola University and Hill will be accompanied by the Biola Vocal Jazz and Jazz Combo Ensemble.

Composer, pianist and singer Judith Hill graduated from Biola University in 2005 with a degree in music composition, having studied with John Browning of Biola's Conservatory of Music. Following her graduation in 2007, Hill toured the world singing with French pop star Michel Polnareff. She began a career as a singer-songwriter upon her return to the United States. In 2009, she was selected as one of Michael Jackson's back-up singers for his planned comeback "This Is It" tour.

She performed at Jackson's memorial services on July 7, 2009 and attracted global attention when she sang the lead in the song "Heal the World." Hill is now working on her debut album with Dave Stewart.