The Pearl Jam singer also wanted to inspire by giving gifts to three young musicians.
Eddie Vedder gave young musicians from Hawaii new guitars for Christmas. Harry Koizumi, music teacher of the three recipients, shared on Facebook how this came about. The Pearl Jam frontman probably just showed up at the Coconut Grove Music store. His goal: to buy three musical instruments for Koizumi’s students and have the teacher hand them over to them at Christmas.
Eddie Vedder plays Santa Claus
Koizumi posted photos on Christmas Eve and reported on the “Christmas Story in Kailua, Oahu 2023.” He was informed of the rock musician’s visit via cell phone: “Earlier this week, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam came to Coconut Grove Music and asked the clerk if there was a guitar teacher who had been teaching there for many years. So I got a text message,” says the music teacher, describing the strange situation. “Come say hello to Eddie Vedder,” the text message said.
“He asked me if I could help him choose some electric guitars that would be suitable for younger players. He then bought three guitars and asked me if I had three students who could use them […]. So I chose the three, called their mothers and told them the story. I asked if they could play some of Eddie’s music at their house to secretly prepare! All the mothers were very excited because they are all already fans,” Harry Koizumi continued.
“When my students arrived for their next lesson, I surprised them with their guitars. I asked her to write a message to Eddie. Later in the week, Eddie brought some personal notes for me to give them! What a beautiful blessing and experience to be Santa’s helper! Eddie Vedder – you rock with such aloha spirit! Thank you for a great Christmas that we will all never forget!”
In the images accompanying the text you can see both Koizumi with the 59-year-old artist, who is wearing a Santa Claus hat, and the students – beaming, with brand new guitars and pieces of paper with handwritten messages to their Santa Claus.
See the music teacher’s Facebook post here:
Pearl Jam fans can be happy: not about new instruments, but about new music. The band will probably release a new album soon. The record is said to have been created in collaboration with producer Andrew Watt and could be released this year, Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron hinted in the “Vinyl Guide Podcast”.