For this episode of the wedding cocktail hour series, we’re excited to welcome guest blogger Darrell Gartrell. Darrell is an author, entrepreneur, teacher and music lover. Born in 1958 in Los Angeles, he was raised in a gang-ridden neighborhood. Darrell re-invented himself in Japan where he launched an English language academy named Wisdom21. At its pinnacle, Wisdom21 was a stunning success with over 800 students and multiple locations across Japan. Darrell later owned and operated one of Japan’s only rhythm & blues clubs, “The Savannah Bar & Grill.” You can read all about Darrell’s business and cultural adventures – as well as his musical influences in his 2016 memoir “21 Years of Wisdom – One Man’s Extraordinary Triumph in Osaka Japan“.
For an accompanying signature cocktail, Darrell has selected his special recipe for a Black Russian – Kahlua, Milk and Hennessy. Cheers!
note: we used a substitution for Adriana Evans as Darrell’s original pick was unavailable.
Enjoy a visit back to Japan with this Osaka Sessions set mixed by DJ Gregg Ambient. Gregg was an exchange student in Osaka during the early 1990s. The Osaka connection was how he and Darrell became acquainted.