Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a reunion of sorts for last year's trip to Japan that was part of the Everest launch. A highlight of that trip was a side journey to the small Japanese city of Ichinoseki, around 400km north of Tokyo. Our destination was the famous jazz bar "Basie" that is owned by jazz drummer Shoji Sugawari; better known to his fans as Swifty. In return for his hospitality, Swifty was invited to visit the US this September, and in particular, visit JBL's facilities at Northridge. Joining Swifty was his wife and daughter and he was escorted by Ken Yasuda (president of Harman Japan) and Koji Onodera (chief editor of Stereo Sound magazine). The first series of pictures were taken at our first meeting at Northridge. The image immediately below is of Swifty and Greg Timbers at the Northridge front entrance. The second picture was my revenge for being ribbed for acting like a sterotypical Japanese tourist in the number of pictures that I take. At least I'm usually draped with only one camera, unlike Koji below. The last three pictures were taken from a guided tour of Northridge's main manufacturing floor. The fourth picture has the group examining the disassembled drivers from the Everest.