Musician Paul Simon will play for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko, for President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at the state dinner, the White House announced, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA. /p>
Simon, 82, whose long musical career includes the hits "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "You Can Call Me Al" is honored for his contributions to the American songbook. Along with singer Art Garfunkel, he popularized folk music hits such as "The Sound of Silence", "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" and "Mrs. Robinson".
Simon, one of Jill Biden's favorite artists, was chosen as a "special tribute" to Kishida because he shares her appreciation of Simon's work, her office said Tuesday.
Biden will also honor another iconic American musician by giving Kishida an individually framed lithograph and double album signed by pianist Billy Joel, the White House said. Biden will also present him with a "vintage vinyl record collection of great American music artists", the announcement said.
The menu for Wednesday's state dinner will include house-cured salmon with avocado and red grapefruit and other tempting dishes.
White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo told reporters that Simon will sing selected songs from his work after the dinner.