George Yoshida (1922 - 2014) was born in Seattle and spent his teen years in Boyle Heights, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1940.The son of a father who sang and a mother who played the organ, he was immersed in musical experiences from a young age. He played saxophone in the school's marching band before taking up the drums. He grew up hearing the strains of ranchera music wafting from the juke box of the neighborhood cantina. He reveled in the popular swing, jazz, and blues of the day that played on the radio and at youth dances. These eclectic sounds and experiences were the foundation of George's long, musical life — as a band leader, educator, mentor, and chronicler. You can learn more about him here.

‍In 2002, George Yoshida was invited to perform in a program presented at the Japanese American National Museum: "Eastside Revue: 1932 - 2002, A Musical Homage to Boyle Heights." Curated by Ruben Funkahuatl Guevara and produced by Claudia Sob. He was accompanied on guitar by Reverend Brian Qualls , assistant pastor at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church on First Street; on percussion by Maceo Hernandez of East L.A. Taiko. This concert was among the public programs featured at the museum during the run of their exhibition Boyle Heights: The Power of Place.