Genre

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Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Meg Okura is a Japanese-American violinist, composer, and bandleader who has made a name for herself in the world of classical and jazz music. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Okura began playing the violin at the age of six and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Her family moved to the United States when she was nine years old, and she continued her musical studies at the Suzuki School of Music in New York City. As a teenager, Okura became interested in jazz music and began to explore the genre on her violin. She attended the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied classical violin and composition, but also took classes in jazz improvisation and theory. After graduating, she began to perform with various jazz ensembles in New York City, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Mingus Big Band. In 2007, Okura formed her own jazz ensemble, the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, which blends elements of classical, jazz, and traditional Asian music. The group has released several albums, including "Naima" (2008), "Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto" (2010), and "Illumination" (2015). The ensemble has performed at major jazz festivals around the world, including the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, and the Tokyo Jazz Festival. In addition to her work with the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Okura has also collaborated with a wide range of musicians and artists. She has performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the American Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has also worked with pop and rock musicians such as David Bowie, Bjork, and Philip Glass. Okura's compositions have been commissioned and performed by a variety of ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet, the Tokyo String Quartet, and the American Composers Orchestra. She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. One of Okura's most notable performances was her appearance at the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C. She led a group of musicians in a performance of her composition "March of the Women," which was inspired by the suffragette movement of the early 20th century. The performance was widely praised for its powerful message and emotional impact. Overall, Meg Okura is a versatile and innovative musician who has made significant contributions to both classical and jazz music. Her unique blend of styles and influences has earned her a dedicated following and critical acclaim, and she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in music.

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