Vernon Hakkaku

Vernon Hakkaku was a well-known piano accompanist for many Nisei singers during and after the Second World War. He was known for having a distinctively Japanese style which suited the Nisei singers well.

Terry Watada recalls: ‘Vernon Hakkaku was a postal worker in Toronto. His house in Cabbagetown was sparsely furnished, with only a baby grand in the front living room. I’m sure he had a bed and not much else. His dream was to play Carnegie Hall one day. He never realized his dream but he did accompany some wonderful singers, like Grace Terakita.’