Meet the Legendary Conductor Seiji Ozawa and Other Remarkable Figures Joining the 2024 Asian Hall of Fame!

The Asian Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2024 inductees, and it includes some notable figures from the music world. The late, Grammy-winning conductor Seiji Ozawa, Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron, and Grammy-nominated concert violinist Anne Akiko Meyers are among those being honored this year.

The class of 2024 will be officially announced at the annual Celebrate Asia Festival on May 1 at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. This event serves as a benefit for the Women Founders Fund, which focuses on supporting diversity among women in tech, entertainment, and the arts. It’s a fitting kickoff to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.

Seiji Ozawa, who sadly passed away on February 6 at the age of 88, was a highly respected figure in the music world. He served as the music director of several prestigious orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Vienna State Opera, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ozawa’s talent was recognized with a Grammy award in 2016 for best opera recording.

Matt Cameron is best known as the drummer for bands like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. He joined Soundgarden in 1986 and later became a permanent member of Pearl Jam after the band’s Yield Tour in 1998. Cameron has won two Grammy awards for his work with Pearl Jam, showcasing his talent and contribution to the rock music scene.

Anne Akiko Meyers, a Grammy-nominated concert violinist, received her first Grammy nomination last year. She has been recognized for her exceptional talent and artistry. Her upcoming season includes performances with renowned orchestras like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic.

In addition to these music icons, the Asian Hall of Fame is honoring three other music-connected individuals this year. John Paris, the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire since 2001, played on the charity album Down by the Water for human trafficking rescue. Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, known for her appearance on American Idol at the age of seven, is receiving the Asian Innovation Award. Lydia Lee, a choir director at John Muir Middle School in Burbank, Calif., is being recognized for her work in music education with the Asian Women in the Arts Prize.

These incredible individuals represent the best of Asian talent and diversity in the music industry. Their contributions and achievements are celebrated not only within the Asian community but also in the wider music world. Congratulations to all the 2024 inductees of the Asian Hall of Fame!