Bruce Lee and San Francisco's Pioneering Martial Arts Scene

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Michael Krasny

Dec 14, 2016 at

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A statute of the late martial arts icon Bruce Lee is seen in Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles June 16, 2013. (Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s no coincidence that the Bay Area has such a thriving martial arts scene. Bruce Lee, one of the sports’ modern masters was born in San Francisco’s Chinatown and returned to the area as a teen. Not long after he came back, Lee transformed martial arts, combining various styles and bringing freedom and self expression to the traditional disciplines. Forum talks about Bruce Lee’s years in the Bay Area and the thriving martial arts scene he helped establish.

Guests:

Gene Ching, associate publisher, Kung Fu Tai Chi Magazine

Charles Russo, author, "Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America"

Gary Cagaanan, instructor in Jeet Kune Do; trained under Bruce Lee's disciple, James Lee

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