Hiroshi Yamazaki, a Japan native and eight-year faculty member at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, has lived in the United States for 25 years, but he said the devastation in Japan after last month's deadly tsunami weighed heavily on his heart.

A friend of Yamazaki suggested organizing a benefit concert to help those affected by the tragedy. The Tarrytown resident took that advice and brought together over a dozen prominent musicians from the area to perform in a jazz benefit concert,  “Support Japan: Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Relief,” on Thursday night at the Music Conservatory in White Plains.

Before the performance began, Yamazaki said he was eagerly looking forward to raising money for the cause, as well as throwing together some great musicians, some of whom had never played together before, to “see what happens” in true jazz fashion.

Carol Shiffman, the conservatory’s executive director, introduced the evening's performance, saying the concert continues the "tradition of people reaching out to one another."

"We are really happy to open our doors, and open our hearts, and open our wallets to help our neighbors in Japan," Shiffman said. "We have a history of going back and forth and working with Japan, and Japan helping us, and us helping Japan."

Bob Arthurs, a former officer at the conservatory, detailed some of that history, describing a concert that was held in Kobe, Japan, after the 2001 terrorist attacks, to “make New York musicians happy.” It was a lovely gesture, Arthurs said, “so we’re here now to hopefully return that gesture.”

Jon Chattman, director of communications for the conservatory, said there would be a link on the website, musicconservatory.org, with more information on donating to the cause.