Meg Okura Composer, Erhu player, Jazz Violinist
August 05, 2008 | Meg Receives “Metlife Creative Connections” Grant from the Meet The Composer
Meg was recently selected for the “Metlife Creative Connections” grant by the Meet The Composer for her upcoming performances of the Crane Wife with her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble and the C. Eule Dance. This is her third time receiving the Creative Connections grant.
June 28, 2008 | Meg Okura's PACJE - Big Success in Japan
After our debut in Japan, PACJE has safely returned to our home in NYC. We wanted to thank our unbelievably enthusiastic audiences for coming to our concerts, buying our CD, giving us standing ovations, and just so much love! We have never felt so much support anywhere else! We would also like to apologize to those two hundred friends and fans, those who were not able to purchase the tickets due to the limited seats in the house. Next time, we will perform at a larger theater so we can perform for more friends and fans! We have uploaded some video clips on YouTube. (click on this link for our "Horse Race" encore!) So please check them out! Also, the final concert at Ome Shimin Hall will be aired on Tama Cable Network in July! Also, please email us any pictures of us with you in Japan so I can put them up on this site!
June 18, 2008 | Come to Kick Back Cafe Tonight!
New York Times called the member's of Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble "fine...sophisticated" - the ensemble is making its JAPAN DEBUT tonight at Kick Back Cafe followed by two additional concerts this weekend. The group arrived in Tokyo this Tuesday for the first rehearsal with the local & international drummer, Tommy Campbell, then had a photo shoot yesterday. Today is our first concert ever in Japan and we are looking forward to seeing some of our old friends as well as new ones that we will meet for the first time tonight! Since the tickets for Ome Shimin Hall have been completely sold our for the past week or so, we would like you to come out tonight if you are near Tokyo!
Hope to see you tonight!
June 13, 2008 | Tickets SOLD OUT for Ome Shimin Hall- Come to Sengawa!!
Good news is that tickets for all 600 seats for the concert at the Ome Shimin Hall are now completely sold out. The bad news is that all 600 seats are sold out. If you would still like to catch Meg Okura & Sam Newsome Quintet, and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble featuring the legendary Tommy Campbell, please come to our concert at Kick Back Cafe in Sengawa on June 19th! There might be limited seats available.
E-mail info@kickbackcafe.jp
TEL 03-5384-1577
June 04, 2008 | Read about Meg's Crane Wife On the New York Times
The last week's dance performance by C. Eule Dance and Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble was reviewed on the New York Times on June 3rd. Please check it out!
June 01, 2008 | Meg Okura Coming To JAPAN!
Check out Meg's concert schedule!
May 01, 2008 | “The Crane Wife” by C. Eule Dance and The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Coming to NYC!
Premiered last February at the Kumble Theater in downtown Brooklyn, this exquisite production of dance and live music of the “Crane Wife” will finally be brought to Manhattan, total of three performances at the University Settlement this month: May 30th and May 31st at 8PM, and a Family Matinee (consisting of The Crane Wife, followed by a dance workshop) on May 31st at 3PM. Tickets for the evening performances are $15, $10 for students, seniors, and free for children under 12. Tickets for the Family Matinee and Workshop are $7. To reserve tickets call (212)453-4532 or email project.audience@gmail.com. The Performance Project @ University Settlement is located at 184 Eldridge Street, New York, NY 10022 (on the corner of Rivington St.) F/V to Second Ave, B/D to Grand Street.
Choreographer Caron Eule and composer, jazz violinist and erhu player Meg Okura collaborated to create The Crane Wife. Intertwining traditional Japanese culture with cutting edge movement and live music, the work re-imagines an ancient Japanese fable. The Family Matinee will be followed by a hands-on workshop in which children will retell the story of The Crane Wife using their own invented movements. The evening program will also include a segment of original music by The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, as well as two C. Eule Dance favorites:
Prelude/Nocturne – a contemporary ballet performed to piano music by Scriabin and Chopin where Koji Atwood seamlessly plays the piano while performing the pivotal role in the piece, merging the line between dancer and pianist.
Jazz Tunes of the '20s – a suite of three vignettes, which blends contemporary dance with musical theater elements set to the popular songs of The Manhattan Rhythm Kings.
C. Eule Dance is a New York City-based modern dance company under the direction of choreographer Caron Eule. Ms. Eule fuses classical modern dance, ballet, gymnastics, and traditional dances from around the globe, often collaborating with local musicians to create new scores for dance. As Lori Ortiz (Gay City News) described, “Talented dancers and musicians engage their adoring and returning crowds with visceral magic.”www.ceuledance.org
Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble dazzles audiences with “improvisational virtuosity” (Guardian) and “classically trained mastery of strings, piano, and drums with quick-witted compositional twists performed with high energy” (Downbeat). While the ensemble resonates exotic tonalities, “…reminiscent of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner's Eastern explorations” (New York Sun), it also bridges the gaps between classical and contemporary music with their unique interpretations of masterpieces ranging from Beethoven to Piazzolla. www.panasianchamberjazzensemble.com
April 21, 2008 | Suzuki School in Puerto Rico Invites Meg Back This Summer.
Meg is returning to Puerto Rico this summer again to work with violin students at Martin Goldman's Suzuki School. She will be working on basic concepts of syncopated rhythms, montunos, improvising using pentatonic scales and blues scales while having a ton of fun. June 7 through 9th.
March 28, 2008 | Meg Heads to Japan This Summer!
It has been over four years since Meg had last toured with the late Michael Brecker. This summer, Meg is returning to Japan with her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble along with her husband for the past three and 1/2 years, great saxophonist Sam Newsome. We have several concerts booked, and hope to see some of you over there!
February 18, 2008 | Special Thanks from Meg -Lu Chai & Crane Wife's Great Success Last Night!
Thank you so much for coming out last week to attend my concert with the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble for the premiere of my composition "Lu Chai" and the dance suite "The Crane Wife."
Special thanks to
Jerome Foundation
American Composers Forum
Members of the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
(Mamiko, Jun, Jennifer & Rich)
Caron Eule
C. Eule Dance
Momo Suzuki
Alison Hiroto
Rodney Herly
Sam Newsome
We couldn't have done this production without you!
And by the way, the show was absolutely gorgeous!! See you all in May.
Love,
Meg
January 16, 2008 | Come Celebrate Asian New Year With PACJE & C. Eule Dance!
The Kumble Theater of Brooklyn invites you to join the Asian New Year celebration with Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, C. Eule Dance, and Hung Ga Lion Dance Team.
Program:
Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
premiere of Meg Okura's "Lu-Chai"
C.Eule Dance & Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
excerps from "Tsuruno Ongaeshi"(Crane Wife) choreographed by Caron Eule, and original music composed by Meg Okura
Hung Ga Linon Dance Team
Ribon Dance
February 15, 2008
Kumble Theater
7:30 p.m.
February 16, 2008
Kumble Theater
3:00 p.m.
January 08, 2008 | Come See Meg Okura and PACJE at Knitting Factory This Saurday!
Meg Okura and her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble will be performing at 2008 NYC Winter Jazz Fest this Satuday at Knitting Factory. Over 5000 arts professionals will be in New York City for the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) conference from January 11-14. As there will be hundreds of showcases scheduled throughout the weekend around the city both at the Hilton Hotel and in alternative venues, the Knitting Factory offers APAP conference attendees, and the general public, the opportunity to experience the best of today's new live jazz and experimental music in a club venue setting.
The 2008 festival will feature 23 diverse groups including Dave Douglas, Don Byron, David Murray, Eldar and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble.
The Knitting Factory welcomes all Arts Presenter conference badge-holders to RSVP and reserve their Full-Club Pass to the 2008 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST on January 12th, by emailing rsvp@winterjazzfest.com. Only 2008 APAP Conference attendees are able to RSVP. Tickets / Full-Club Passes are available to the General Public for $25 at www.knittingfactory.com. For more information spend time at www.winterjazzfest.com
This Saturday, January 12, 2008
6:20-7:20 pm
Knitting Factory
74 Leonard Street (Church & Bway)
Knitting Factory
December 25, 2007 | Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
Until this past year, we thought our ﾒmarriageﾓ was the biggest change in our lives. But this summer, something else changed our lives forever. Letﾕs just say that it starts with an ﾒmﾓ and it is not ﾒmotherhood.,ﾓ itﾕs called ﾒmortgage.ﾓ On August 22, 2007, we bought a new condo in Manhattan, which is a big change from renting an apartment in Brooklyn. Yes, we decided to stop paying our landlordﾕs mortgage, and decided to pay our own, instead. We moved in on September 2nd, and bought some new furniture pieces including Megﾕs new Young Chang upright! We will be ready for a house-warming party/jam session in springtime, which you will be all invited to.
2007 for us started with very sad news on January 13- grave loss of our friend and greatest tenor saxophonist of our time, Michael Brecker. However, we were blessed with two new lives in our family. Megﾕs little sister Sarah gave birth to a baby girl Hannah (pronounced in Japanese for ﾒflower,ﾓ spelled in Chinese meaning brilliant, gorgeous) in April, and Samﾕs little nice Tawanda just gave birth to a baby boy ﾒTavionﾓ this November, which make us great uncle and great aunt! Praise the Lord.
We also had other happy news this year. Samﾕs latest album, ﾒMonk Abstractionsﾓ his first solo soprano saxophone album was just chosen as ﾒBest Tribute Album of the Year 2007ﾓ by All About Jazz. He has self-released the album this summer, and is now back enjoying his second year as the assistant professor at the Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus while continuing his performing and touring schedules. He had his first trip to Poland this fall and recorded an album as a co-leader on Jazzaway Records label with Lucian Ban. The CD will be released late September, 2008.
Meg is also juggling her busy schedule with two circuses this winter. She is performing in the Big Apple Circus Band as the new jazz violinist, and also filling in for the WINTUK- a new cirque du soleil show at the Madison Square Garden! She is also working on two new large compositions for her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble: one is a suite ﾒLu Chaiﾓ based on a Tang Dynasty poetry, and the other one is collaboration with Choreographer Caron Eule, a dance suite based on a folk tale ﾒThe Crane Wifeﾓ (Tsuru-no On-Gaeshi), told through music and dance. Even thought her schedule is rather hectic, her commute from our new place is only 10-15min. to Columbus Circle, thanks to the A & D express trains!
While we hope to have bigger announcements this year, we feel truly blessed as we are today, and thankful for our family, friends and wonderful band members. We have already had our first houseguests during Thanksgiving- Megﾕs brother Yasushi (pastor/missionary) and his beautiful wife Tomoko (chef/food coordinator) and had very special times together. We hope to have all of you come by (not all at once) or stay with us sometime in the near future.
We wish you happy holidays and a joyful new year!
Sam & Meg
December 12, 2007 | Come See Meg Okura's PACJE and Dave Douglas, Eldar, David Murray, Don Byron, Ben Alison, and many others at Knitting Factory on January 12, 2008.
PACJE and 22 other jazz groups will be featured in The 2008 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST during the Arts Presenters (APAP) conference. Over 5000 arts professionals will be in New York City for the annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) conference from January 11-14. As there will be hundreds of showcases scheduled throughout the weekend around the city both at the Hilton Hotel and in alternative venues, the Knitting Factory offers APAP conference attendees, and the general public, the opportunity to experience the best of today's new live jazz and experimental music in a club venue setting.
The 2008 festival will include Dave Douglas, Don Byron, David Murray and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble.
The Knitting Factory welcomes all Arts Presenter conference badge-holders to RSVP and reserve their Full-Club Pass to the 2008 NYC WINTER JAZZFEST on January 12th, by emailing rsvp@winterjazzfest.com. Only 2008 APAP Conference attendees are able to RSVP. Tickets / Full-Club Passes are available to the General Public for $25 at www.knittingfactory.com. For more information spend time at www.winterjazzfest.com
December 05, 2007 | Meg Returns To Cirque du Soleil This Winter!
In the spring & summer of 2004, Meg was the featured violinist in Cirque du Soleil’s “VAREKAI” touring U.S. cities. She then returned to New York to marry her beloved husband and great soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome in September of 2004. This winter, Cirque du Soleil’s WINTUK opened in November without live musicians. Few weeks after its opening, Cirque du Soleil called Meg for the possibility of re-joining the Cirque family again to play the violin for WINTUK, and she agreed to play just 16 shows this winter.
November 21, 2007 | Broadway Maybe Closed, But Circuses Are On This Season! Catch Meg Okura at Big Apple Circus AND WINTUK!
If you are looking for shows to take your family members to, the two shows that I am playing this winter will surely please you and your family. The Big Apple Circus is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and inviting 30 New York celebrities to be guest ringmasters. So far, I got to see Mariska Hargitay (detective Benson from Law and Order SVU) whom I absolutely adore as well as Christopher Meloni, her partner in SVU, detective Stabler. We are at Lincoln Center almost everyday! So come let us celebrate!!
Please also check back my schedule for WINTUK shows. I will be playing about fifteen shows this winter!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Meg
August 07, 2007 | Walking “Jazz” Tour Of Harlem- Walking Through Historic Neighborhood
After living in a beautiful neighborhood of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for almost eight years, it is hard to imagine that I am moving to anywhere else in the world. It was a dream neighborhood for a musician like myself who doesn’t even have a driver’s license. Having direct access to over a dozen subway lines, I was able to get to anywhere I ever needed to get to in less than half an hour, and was able to take a taxi home from the Village late at night for less than $15.
This summer, my husband Sam (Newsome) and I are moving to Sugar Hill Historic District of Harlem, New York. While Sam is excited about owning any place in Manhattan as he has never lived in Manhattan in his entire career, I was rather nervous about leaving quiet streets of Fort Greene to live in a 180-unit new construction on top of a “Starbucks.” And nothing makes me more nervous than a 30-year mortgage loan.
We took the Walking “Jazz” Tour Of Harlem last Saturday, guided by a very knowledgeable and funny man Mr. Paul Blair. The tour started in Sugar Hill, and we quickly discovered that just on the other side of the park (Jackie Robinson Park) from our new home is the 409 Edgecombe Avenue, a famous building where many of the elite black leaders and celebrities of the 1930s lived, among them Duke Ellington. We even got to visit a one-bedroom unit being sold for $220,000 on the 8th floor. Though it’s a serious fixer-upper, the view alone is worth the money! I thought seeing a bargain co-op was exciting and worth the trip, it was almost too overwhelming to find out that Billy Strayhorn used to live on Convent Avenue, a gorgeous street, also just a few blocks from our new home. And, if you have never been to Jumel Terrace District, you must see Sylvan Terrace, the only one street I know that doesn’t resemble any other streets in New York.
This is just the first 30 min. of the tour. You will get to visit many jazz clubs and churches where some of your favorite jazz legends once used to perform at. I am now a big fan of Harlem, and really excited about taking long walks in the neighborhood for many more years to come. If you are also interested in moving to Harlem, or just visiting, the transportation is not bad either. Just “Take the A train” - only two express stops from Columbus Circle, a short ten-minute ride!
If you still have good legs and feet, I highly recommend you try this Walking Jazz Tour series. Mr. Blair also has other tours and I am sure they are all really excellent. For more information, please visit www.swingstrrets.com.
July 20, 2007 | Meg Has A New Home & A New Gig!
She and her husband Sam Newsome (saxophonist) moving this summer to Sugarhill, the historic neighborhood of the Harlem Renaissance. Meg is expanding her home recording studio in order to accommodate increasing demand for her recording works on erhu. In the mean time, they will continue to teach at the Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Meg has also accepted the jazz violin position at the Big Apple Circus for this coming season! Please come watch the circus if you live near Washington D.C. and New York metro area.
July 13, 2007 | Pharaoh's Daughter Openning For BORAT's Brother's Band This Saturday
Pharaoh's Daughter is returning to Highline Ballroom this Saturday to open for Erran Baron Cohen's ZOHAR - a band led by Sasha Cohen's (Borat, Ali G) brother who wrote the score for the film "Borat."
Pharaoh's Daughter feat: Basya Schechter, Daphna Mor, Meg Okura, Jason Lindner, Shanir Blumenkrantz, Rich Stein, and Yuval Lion.
June 20, 2007 | Meg Returns from Jazz Violin & Improvisation Workshop in Puerto Rico
Meg had just returned from Puerto Rico, after teaching twenty-two wonderful students of the Martin Goldman’s Suzuki School in Puerto Rico. Workshop ran for three days in Guaynabo and students aging six to seventeen were divided into three classes. To check out the pictures from the workshop, please go to the “Photo Gallery” section and click on “Workshop Pics.”
April 18, 2007 | Meg's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble Featured on "Meet The Composer"
Meg's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is now featured on the "Meet The Composer" website. The ensemble has recieved "Creative Connections" grant from the organization for presenting compositions by Meg, and two of her colleagues, composer/pianist Mamiko Kitaura and composer/soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome on April 23 in Lower Manhattan. The three composers will be available for Q & A following the performance.
April 23, 2007
1:00 pm
Saint Paul's Chapel in Tribeca
(Presented by Trinity Concerts)
Meg Okura (violin & erhu)
Jun Kubo (flute & shinobue)
Sam Newsome (soprano saxophone)
Mamiko Kitaura (piano)
Jennifer Vincent (cello)
Rich Stein (percussion)
For more information, please visit:trinitywallstreet.org/calendar
April 16, 2007 | PACJE Open Rehearsal on April 16! (Free)
Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is inviting you to join us for our special open rehearsal, sponsored by the Meet The Composer “Creative Connections” grant. The ensemble will be going over some of the latest original works to be performed at Saint Paul’s Chapel in Tribeca on April 23. Great oportunity to come ask any questions to each player & three of the composers.
April 16, 2007
7:30pm 9:00pm
H-106 at the Long Island University Brooklyn Campus
(FREE)
Meg Okura (erhu)
Jun Kubo (flute)
Mamiko Kitaura (piano)
Jennifer Vincent (cello)
Rich Stein (percussion)
Repertoire: Afrasia, 3-3-7, Fly High, Requiem, Dance at the Palace, and more
April 03, 2007 | Free Concert on April 23 at Saint Paul's Chapel
Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is appearing in Tribeca this month. They will perform for Trinity Church's daytime concert series called "Concerts at One,"featuring Meg Okura, Jun Kubo, Mamiko Kitaura, Jennifer Vincent, Rich Stein, and Sam Newsome. Compositions by Okura, Kitaura and Newsome.
*This concert is partially sponsored by "Creative Connections" grant from Meet The Artist organization.
April 02, 2007 | Special Thanks....
Thank you so much for supporting my project, Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble by showing up to our gig last Friday. I was touched by your presence and humbled by your standing-ovation. It was so nice to see all of you, including many accomplished musicians, composers and singers, students from NYU, and an old friend whom I hadn't seen since the early 90's.
Special thanks to Paul, Neil and Rose at the Paul's Imports. Very special thanks to my band for your musicianship and friendship. Thank you Jun, Mamiko, Rich and Greg. I can't thank you guys enough.
March 07, 2007 | Please Join Us for an Evening of Music and Sake/Wine in Morningside Heights
Meg Okura’s Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is making its Morningside Heights debut this month at Parish Hall on 114th street and Broadway. The door will open at 7:00pm for sake and wine, and we will start our performance at 8:00pm. Two sets.
Tickets are now available for $9.00. ($12 at the door)
March 30th, 2007
7:00 pm Door
8:00 pm Performance
Meg Okura (erhu & violin)
Jun Kubo (flute & shinobue)
Mamiko Kitaura (piano)
Greg Heffernan (cello)
Rich Stein (percussion)
March 01, 2007 | Hina-matsuri (Doll Festival) MP3 Free Give Away!
Hina-Matsuri, also know as Doll Festival or Girl’s Day is a Japanese festival for girls, celebrated on March 3rd. Japanese families with young girls display seven-tired sets of Hina doll, ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period. While “Boy’s Day” on May 5th is a national holiday of Japan, Hina-matsuri isn’t at all a national holiday, and they have to carry on with their daily duties. Growing up in Japan, I always felt insulted about this matter even as a little girl. So this year, I am giving away my MP3 only on the Hina-matsuri. I have some new tracks featuring myself on “erhu”- two stringed Chinese violin. So please check back again on March 3rd and receive free MP3 downloads!
February 17, 2007 | Happy Chinese New Years!
This year is the year of pig, and this happens in a cycle of every twelve years. Some jazz musicians who were born in the year of pig are: Milt Jackson, Thad Jones, Elvin Jones, Antonio Sanchez, Paul Chambers, Chris Potter, and Aaron Parks.
February 16, 2007 | The Shagg’s Cover Band This Saturday!
MY BAND FOOT FOOT: Shaggs Revue
The Music of the Shaggs
(Our first gig!)
Saturday, February 17
9 & 10:30pm
Cornelia Street Café
29 Cornelia Street
New York, NY
http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com
212-989-9319
$10 cover
John McNeil – trumpet, arranger, etc.
JC Sanford – trombone, arranger, etc.
Andrew Green – guitar, arranger, etc.
Meg Okura – violin, etc.
Ben Rubin – bass, etc.
Ted Poor – drums, etc.
Check out our new MySpace site:
http://www.myspace.com/mybandfootfootshaggsrevue
Previewed on the New York Times, “My Band Foot Foot” is a group that reinterprets the music of The Shaggs, a self-taught family "rock" band from the late 60's which has become a cult fascination. Rather than attempt to imitate The Shaggs, My Band Foot Foot has drawn on their original tunes as inspiration and arranged them in a wide variety of musical genres and settings, including jazz, blues, musical theatre, chamber music, rock, gospel, and more. THIS IS NOT REALLY A JAZZ GIG. We’d be willing to bet that it’ll be like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Be a part of this long-awaited debut performance! Then you can tell your grandchildren you were there when it all went down.
If you aren’t familiar with The Shaggs, we recommend that you check out these two web sites before hand for some background info:
http://www.shaggs.com/
http://www.theshaggsonline.com/
(Of course, as always, please let us know if you want off of this list. Who’s it gonna hurt, really?)
“I’m so happy when you’re near; I’m so sad when you’re away . . .”
-- Dot Wiggin
January 30, 2007 | My Band Foot Foot - Shaggs Reveu
Meg is in a band called "My Band Foot Foot" with great New York musicians. My Band Foot Foot reinterprets the music of The Shaggs, a self-taught family "rock" band from the late 60's that has become a cult fascination. If you aren't familiar with their staggering work/history, shame on you. It's the most "ORIGINAL" sound you will ever hear!
Rather than attempt to imitate the Shaggs, My Band Foot Foot has drawn on their original tunes as inspiration and arranged them in a wide variety of musical genres, including jazz, blues, musical theatre, chamber music, rock, gospel, and more.
JC Sanford - trombone/arranger
Andrew Green - guitar/arranger
John McNeil - trumpet/arranger
Meg Okura - violin
Ben Rubin - bass
Ted Poor - drums
Allison Miller - drums
http://www.myspace.com/mybandfootfootshaggsrevue
January 13, 2007 | Michael Brecker Dies
One of the greatest tenor saxophonists in the history and a friend, Michael Brecker died Saturday morning. He had touched millions of people through his music, and he will be missed devastatingly. He was kind, thoughtful, and never jive. He is one of the biggest influences as a musician, and massive inspiration in my life, and he will continue to be so as long as I live.
January 09, 2007 | Meg's Picks for This Year's IAJE Conference in NYC
It’s that time of the year again, the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Education), or J.IV.E. as some call it, conference will take place this week in New York City. Every year, I try to get in somehow. I would do whatever it takes for me whether playing a reading session or playing performing free. This year is very special for me because my beloved husband & a great musician, Sam Newsome will be tending a booth for the Long Island University – Brooklyn Campus where he is the new assistant professor.
Here are My Picks
January 10th
7:00 p.m.
One For All
Saxophone. Eric Alexander; Trumpet/Flugelhorn: Jim Rotondi; Trombone: Steve Davis; Piano: David Hazeltine; Bass: Peter Washington; Drums: Joe Farnsworth
*I am a fan of Eric Alexander. Someday, I want to be able to play like him…
January 11th
4:00 p.m.
Avishai Cohen Group
Leader/Trumpet: Avishai Cohen; Guitar: Lionel Loueke; Bass: Joe Martin; Drums: Eric McPherson; Percussion: Daniel Freedman.
*These are some of my friends and imaginative young musicians. By the way, Aishai & his wife just had a baby.
Januray 12th
6:00
Peter Apfelbaum & the New York Hieroglyphics. Leader/Saxophone/Piano/Percussion: Peter Apfelbaum; Voice: Abdoulaye Diabate; Violin: Charlie Burnham; Woodwinds: Jessica Jones, Tony Jones, Norbert Stachel; Trumpet/Reeds: Peck Allmond; Trombone: Josh Roseman; Guitar: David Phelps; Guitar/Percussion: Viva DeConcini; Bass: Patrice Blanchard; Drums: Justin Brown.
OR
Jazz in My Space: Online Community–Building. New media experts will join with artists in a discussion of the ways musicians are embracing new media paradigms and online social networks such as MySpace, Last.fm, and MOG, which brings fans together, create greater consciousness among non-jazz audiences, and bridge the gaps between disparate jazz communities across the globe. Moderator: Michael Ricci (AllAboutJazz.com); Panelists: Michael Goldberg (MOG.com), Chris Lewis (JazzTimes.com), Brian Lynch, Lonnie Plaxico, Vinson Valega.
*I have to ask one question. “How used ful are these stripper –friends of yours on MySpace?”
7:00p.m.
Dave Liebman Group. Leader/Saxophone: David Liebman; Guitar: Vic Juris; Bass: Tony Marino; Drums: Marko Marcinko
*I am a Dave Liebman fan. Someday, I want to be able to play like him- but I know it’s impossible.
OR
Luis Perdomo Trio. Leader/Piano: Luis Perdomo; Bass: Hans Slawischnig; Drums: Eric McPherson
8:00p.m.
NEA Jazz Masters Awards Concert
Honoring Toshiko Akiyoshi, Curtis Fuller, Ramsey Lewis, Dan Morgenstern, Jimmy Scott, Frank Wess, Phil Woods
A.B. Spellman and Dana Gioia
The Dizzy GillespieTM All–Star Big Band under the direction of Slide Hampton. Musical Director/Trombone: Slide Hampton; Special Guest/Trumpet: Roy Hargrove; Voice: Roberta Gambarini, Nancy Wilson; Saxophone/Flute/Voice: James Moody; Woodwinds: Antonio Hart, Jimmy Heath, Gary Smulyan, Mark Gross; Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Greg Gisbert, Frank Greene, Claudio Roditi; Trombones: Jay Ashby, Steve Davis, Jason Jackson, Douglas Purviance; Piano: Eric Ginnison; Guitar: Marty Ashby; Bass/Executive Director: John Lee; Drums: Dennis Mackrel; Congas & Percussion: Duke Lee.
You need to come early for this one in order to get in.
January 13th
11:00a.m.
Western Michigan University Jazz Octet with Stefon Harris, Fred Hersch, and Billy Hart, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Director: Scott Cowan. Guest Artists: Stefon Harris, Fred Hersch, Billy Hart.
8:00p.m.
Evening Concerts
"French Quarter"
Jean-David Levitte, United States Ambassador of France, host.
Heritage for Tomorrow
National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance of Paris, France.
Special Guest: Michel Legrand. Director: Riccardo Del Fra.
Richard Galliano Trio.
Leader/Accordion: Richard Galliano; Bass: George Marz; Drums: Clarence Penn.
Charlie Haden Liberation Music Orchestra - Not In Our Name.
Leader/Bass: Charlie Haden; Saxophones: Chris Cheek, Tony Malaby, Miguel Zenon; Trumpets: Seneca Black, Michael Rodriguez; Trombones: Curtis Fowlkes; French Horn: Vincent Chancey; Tuba: Joe Daley; Piano: Gil Goldstein; Guitar: Steve Cardenas; Drums: Matt Wilson.
French Elite All Stars.
Violin: Didier Lockwood; Harmonica: Oliver Ker Ourio; Guitar: Sylvain Luc; Bass: Remi Vignolo; Drums: Andre Cecarelli.
*I have to attend this. I met Didier Lockwood in Paris. Lockwood has a great jazz school where his friends teach.
December 25, 2006 | Holiday Greetings from Meg & Sam
Dear Family & Friends,
December 15, 2006
Now that I’ve just completed my first semester at Long Island University as the new assistant professor of jazz studies, I can now enjoy this holiday season by getting back to my “former” jazz musician routine: practicing all day, watching several hours of TV, and sleeping until noon. OK, 1 P.M.
My lovely wife Meg is really in holiday spirits this year. Just the other day, she practiced “The Christmas Song” through the cycle of 4ths, re-harmonized it using “Coltrane” changes, and went into 11/8 on the bridge. Meg is extremely excited that I now have my own office at LIU, but I did have to explain to her that even though I plan to store all of my books and instruments there, it’s not really appropriate for me to bring over my futon and sleep there at night. People have seen me move so much of my stuff out of our apartment, divorce lawyers are sending me Christmas cards. But don’t worry, we’re doing great. Actually, it’s almost like we are back at the dating stage; I see her at least once a week, and sometimes twice, if I attend one of her gigs.
But all kidding aside, we have both been extremely blessed this year. Thank you for your prayers and support! Listed below are a few of the many great things we have enjoyed in 2006.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sam and Meg
Sam & Meg’s Blessings of the 2006
#10. Sam received the prestigious NYSCA award to write a new work for solo saxophone inspired by the lives of MLK, Malcolm and Mandela.
#9. Meg was awarded a few grants this year, including the prestigious American Composers Forum / Jerome Composers Commissioning Program (JCCP) to compose a new work for her group to be premiered in New York during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
#8. Sam completed his debut solo soprano saxophone recording
#7. Meg’s new band Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble released a self-titled debut album, received critical acclaim, and was the finalist in the Independent Musicians Awards. She also received a grant from the Urban Artists Initiative to record her new compositions.
#6. Sam received a grant from the Meet The Composer organization to travel to Romania to perform some of his new works combining American jazz and Romanian folk music.
#5. Meg was on the road, including a European tour with Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet.
#4. Sam was accepted into the Masters program at SUNY Purchase College.
#3. Sam held his second community-based festival, “Next Door Jazz Festival” at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council Regrant Program.
#2. Sam will be featured in the Brooklyn Arts Council newsletter for the month of January 2007.
#1 . Meg survived a two-week residency in Quad City, Iowa, performed at concert halls, colleges, high schools, elementary schools, nursing homes, and a prison. She violated the dress code at the prison and had to wear the prison guard’s sweatshirt for her performance
November 30, 2006 | Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble performs at the World AIDS Day Womens Event in New York City
December 1st is WORLD AIDS DAY! Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is performing at the Tavern on the Green today for a women's event sponsored by the World Vision. The band will feature Jun Kubo on flute, Jennifer Vincent on cello, Mamiko Kitaura on piano, Shane Shanagan on percussion, and Meg Okura on violin & erhu.
DId you know that HIV and AIDS orphans 6,000 children a day in Africa? If you would like to test your knowledge on AIDS, please take the award winning "AIDS test"- and interactive online program designed by World Vision.
November 29, 2006 | Pharaoh's Daughter Performs at Joe's Pub Tonight!
Meg is playing erhu & violin and singing a bit of Hebrew with Pharaoh's Daughter at Joee's Pub tonight at 7pm!!
Basya Schechter (Vocal & Oud)
Daphna Mor (recorders, flutes & vocals)
Meg Okura (violin, erhu & a little vocals)
Jason Lindner (keys)
Uri Sharlin (accordion)
Mathias Kunzli (percussion)
Yuval Lion (drums)
Shanir Blumenkranz (bass)
plus special guests!
November 14, 2006 | Meg Okura Tours with Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet
Meg is currently on the road with Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet, performing Swallow’s compositions arranged by Ohad Talmor, the mastermind of this project. The members of the ensemble are Russ Johnson, Jacob Garchick, Michael McGinnis, Ohad Talmor, Steve Swallow and Meg Okura. The record “The Bum's Tale” is available on the Palmetto Records.
November 03, 2006 | Meg Okura Receives American Composers Forum Jerome Composers Commissioning Program
Meg Okura was awared the prestigeous 2006 Jerome Foundation / American Composers Forum Commissioning Program. She will premiere her new composition for the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble in the spring of 2008.
November 03, 2006 | Independent Music Awards Announces This Year's Finalists! - Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble's self-titled debut album was selected as one of the finalists in the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards "ALBUM" competition. It is an international competition and this year's judges include Terence Blanchard, Paquito D'Rivera, Joe Perry, Jonatha Brook, Bill Wyman, Norah Jones and others.
October 18, 2006 | Meg Okura Tours Europe with Quinteto Roberto Rodriguez This Fall
Meg is now off to a short tour of Europe with a Cuban-Jewish band lead by a Cuban drummer/percussionist Roberto Rodriguez. The band is now a quintet instead of a septet, which was the original instrumentation when the band first started touring in 2001. The quintet features astonishing new talents such as clarinetist Gilad Harel and accordionist Uri Sharlin, both from Israel. Joined by bass player Bernie Minoso who has worked with Tito Puente, the Quinteto Roberto Rodriguez will be performing in Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and France.
Even though Meg is really looking forward to performing with this great new band, the highlight of the tour for Meg is not the concerts, but rather to reunite with her friend from Japan Yoko Kanamaru, whom Meg has known since they were both five years old. Yoko Kanamaru now is a world-renowned violist who plays in the Concertgebouw orchestra in Amsterdam. The two haven’s seen each other since 1992!
Meg is also looking forward to having several days off in Paris where she will be staying with her jazz violin student Reina. They are planing to visit Didier Lockwood's school and jazz clubs in Paris.
June 23, 2006 | Meg Okura's CD Now Available @ iTunes Music Store
Meg Okura’s Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is now available at iTunes music store as well as many other digital distribution sites. $0.99 per tune, the whole album just for $7.92!! I hope you will enjoy the music…
All About Jazz
…elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound. … they do so by presenting precisely played ethnically inspired original compositions in an exciting modern jazz context.
complete review:www.alaboutjazz.com
Chris Ruel’s Instrumental Music Reviews
… a phenomenal new album that showcases her stunning compositional skills that integrate stylistic elements from multiple genres of music within individual arrangements. ….simply astounding.
track by track review:www.chrisruel.com
Boudica's Music Reviews
…very original and fresh. It crosses between classical and jazz. It is relaxing, it is invigorating. It never disappoints; rather it draws your attention throughout the entire production. The compositions are complex, the skill of the musicians is without question and the quality does not hint at all of it’s independent production.
track by track review: www.zodiacbistro.com
Customer Reviews:
Original and Powerful and Very Enjoyable
www.epinions.com
Absolutely Phenomenal
www.CDBaby.com
May 23, 2006 | Long Island University Elects Saxophonist Sam Newsome As The New Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies.
Saxophonist Sam Newsome was chosen to be the new assistant professor in jazz studies at LIU yesterday, after having taught as an adjunct professor for the past two years.
Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Mr. Newsome studied jazz composition and arranging at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduating in 1988, he moved to New York City where he soon caught the eye of trumpeter Terrance Blanchard with whom he toured and recorded for the next five years as a “young lion.” Since then, Mr. Newsome has recorded seven albums as a leader, including critically acclaimed world jazz recording “Sam Newsome & Global Unity” on Colombia/SONY Records. Mr. Newsome has received numerous grants and awards including Jerome Composers Commissioning Fund, CEC Artslink, and was chosen as the Kennedy Center’s Jazz Ambassador by the State Department and toured all over Africa in 2002. As the founder and producer of the Next Door Jazz Festival, Mr. Newsome has also received Brooklyn Arts Council’s Community Arts Regrant Award.
Mr. Newsome currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife of nearly two years, jazz violinist/composer Meg Okura.
April 02, 2006 | Meg Okura Receives Honourable Mention from the International Songwriting Competition
On April 1, 2006, ISC announced the winners of the 2005 competition. Meg Okura’s composition “Creation” received Honorable Mention. ISC received almost 15,000 entries from 82 countries throughout the world. Thank you for your support!
March 31, 2006 | Independent Artists Beware! Warnings on SonicBids.com
SonicBids.com is an online service for independent artists to send EPK (Electronic Press Kit) to hundreds of nationwide and international events online. A few days ago, I was searching for music festivals online and encountered one music festival site that asked the artists to submit their EPK’s via sonicbids.com. So I decided to investigate this whole process. I found out that they have 65,000 “hottest artists” who are members. So here are some facts I discovered about SonicBids.com.
65.000 of their members pay $49.95 a year for their basic service, which includes several pictures and sound clips, and a bio. $52 dollars more a year for a video clip & a PDF file (which most musicians already have on their websites.). But listen to this. When you actually want to contact a festival, $10 to $50 fee will apply for each submission.
This, I definitely have a problem with!!!! FIRST, if a promoter gets paid to receive submissions, there is a danger for promoters to use this system merely as means to make quick money. Who knows if they even look at your EPK since they have already been paid for just reveiving the submissions. SECOND, how is anybody really saving money? Artists can contact festivals directly via e-mails and this cost the artists nothing. Festivals can then review your website if they are interested in booking your band. THIRD, this is a lot of money. Let’s say only 1.5% of the 65,000 members decided to submit their EPK to a festival, which accepts 8 artists. Say the fee was $20. So artists would collectively spend about $20,000 for their submissions to this one festival. 8 artists will the gig and get their fees back ($20 fee times 8 is $160.) $20,000 - $160 = $19,840 ,of artists’ submission fee had just become PROFIT for SonicBids.com and the presenter. They have 16 event-submission deadlines today alone (March 31, 2006). You do the math.
My investigation didn’t just end there. I wanted to find out what artists actually get from this service. So I went to the "Most Booked Artists" site. The most booked band happened to be a band in which a colleague of mine plays in. He is a fantastic musician and I have no problem with their band being the most booked band. But I have a hard time believing Sonicbids being responsible for booking any of those gigs on their schedule. Because out of 10 different venues they are performing, six of which are in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan, two in Philadelphia and one in New Jersey. I just think they are too local and mostly not profitable for artists. I have performed at some of these venues (restaurants & bars) and know that these are either “door gig” or “pass around the hat” gigs. But I suggest that we all go hear their band just because they are great musicians!
They also have “The Top Viewed EPK’s.” I went to the artist’s calendar page. It says “There are no upcoming dates at this time.”
In order for every artist on SonicBids.com to get 10 gigs, there needs to be 650,000 gigs out there EXCLUSIVELY for the artists on SonicBids.com. Even though most festivals like to book big stars who don't use SonicBids.com, I still believe there are many gigs that independent artists can book. I just don't believe there are THAT MANY gigs.....
March 07, 2006 | CDBaby Picks Meg's New CD!
CDbaby picked Meg's New CD "Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble" as the Editor's Picks under Jazz: World Fusion together with our friend Omar Avital.
CD is available also at TowerRecords.com. Please visit both sites to write listen & your own reviews!
January 27, 2006 | Words of Wisdom from George W. Bush
"The vast majority of our imports come from outside the country."
- George W. Bush
If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
- George W. Bush
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any Governor, and that one word is 'to be prepared'."
- George W. Bush
"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."
- George W. Bush
"The future will be better tomorrow."
- George W. Bush
"We're going to have the best educated American people in the world."
- George W. Bush
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
- George W. Bush
"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe, we are a part of Europe."
- George W. Bush
"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."
- George W. Bush
"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."
- George W. Bush
"For NASA, space is still a high priority."
"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."
- George W. Bush
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
- George W. Bush
"It's time for the human race to enter the solar system."
George W. Bush
January 21, 2006 | CHECK OUT THE CD NOW! (link to CafePress)
You can listen and see the artworks for Meg's New CD on this site!
January 11, 2006 | Far-East and Middle-East Meet in the East Village
Friday, February 10, 2006 at 8:00 p.m., Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, a New York based all-female band, and Cardamon Quartet, a New York based Middle Eastern jazz ensemble, will perform at the Stone in New York City.
The evening will start with the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, featuring Meg Okura on violin, YUKARI on flute, Megumi Yonezawa on piano, and Jennifer Vincent on cello. The ensemble will perform original works by Meg Okura, including the premiere of her new composition “Afrasia”, blending Far-East tonalities with avant-garde jazz and African rhythms. Joining the group will be percussionist Satoshi Takeishi and Erhu player Suzanne Shu from Mainland China.
At 10:00 p.m., Cardamon Quartet, featuring Uri Sharlin on piano and accordion, Haral Shachal on reeds, Jennifer Vincent on cello and bass, and Dan Aran on drums, will play Uri Sharlin’s original music as well as arrangements of Israeli folk songs and classical Arabic pieces. The band will also have surprise guest musicians from different parts of the Middle-East.
The Stone is located at the corner of Avenue C and 2nd street, and is a not-for-profit performance space founded by John Zorn in 2005. Admission is $10 for each set; students 13 to 19 $5, children under 12 free. 100% of the nightly revenue will go directly to the musicians. Curator of the month of February is Basya Schechter from Pharaoh’s Daughter. For further information about the event, please visit www.thestonenyc.com
For music samples and more information on the bands, please visit www.panasianchamberjazzensemble.com., and www.cardamonquartet.com.
December 27, 2005 | Christmas- When Did it Become a Political Issue?
Growing up in Japan, I used to imagine how joyful Christmas might be in America, where people actually knew the meaning of Christmas. I remember asking my mom why we didn’t do any Christmassy stuff at home, such as the Christmas tree, the gifts, and the cake. Her answer was that those things were for secular people and that we celebrated enough Christmas at church. So while non-Christian kids were getting Christmas gifts, me and my siblings didn’t get anything for Christmas.
By the time I was in high school, there was a new Christmas trend (by now it is a tradition), among teen-agers and young adults that is to reserve a hotel room and spend a romantic night with someone special OR just about anyone. I remember feeling disgusted every year during Christmas season because that’s what people talked about. It simply became a "Sex holiday."
Since I moved the U.S. thirteen years ago, I had never had a family to visit until last year. (I got married last year and we got to visit the in-laws for Christmas.) None of my ex-boyfriends ever took me to their families’ for Christmas or Hanukkah. Some even had mentioned that it was because of my race!! So I had always been lonely, and couldn’t really enjoy the Christmas season.
And now, Christmas is a center of America’s controversy and a political issue. People are debating and suing each other over “holiday trees.” I highly doubt the basis of the debate since there is nothing “Christian” about the Christmas trees since it originally came from a pagan practice. There is no mention of a Christmas tree in the bible, yet some people want to make it into a political agenda. And now the media is calling this “A WAR ON CHRISTMAS.”
I just think there are other far more important things to worry about around us. There are many people in poverty even in the U.S. Why do we spend so much time talking about “decorations”? I think it’s time for Americans to stop fighting like little kids and start caring about issues that are more serious and urgent. And for once, will you let me experience peaceful and joyful Christmas in America? And I just have one thing to say to the Japanese. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
December 21, 2005 | Holiday Greetings from Meg
This year has been one of the most blessed year in my life. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues for your friendship as well as great musicianship. You guys have been my inspiration! I would like to first thank the members of my new group Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble: Megumi Yonezawa, Yukari, and Jennifer Vincent. I would also like to thank Basya Schechter for so many wonderful opportunities to travel the world, chances to experience and express music, and to share laughs and tears. I would like to thank my family members and extended family members here in the US and overseas for their love and acceptance. I would like to thank my husband Sam Newsome for his musical inspiration, support, kindness, generosity and support. I don't know how I can possiblly live without you ever again at this point! Thanks everyone and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Meg
Meg's Top Ten Blessing of 2005
January- performing with Michael Brecker Quindectet, featured as a soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall
March- receiving a prize and premiere performance from the American University Saxophone Symposium Composition
April- debut of “Project OKURA” featuring Jason Lindner at the Europa Club.
Summer- Meg’s student Reina came to NY from Paris to study jazz violin with her
August- Fist vacation with my husband!
September- SNL Season Premiere with Kanye West
September- 1st Wedding Anniversary
September- Tour with Steve Swallow
October- debut and premiere of Meg’s new born baby Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
November- Meg Okura Quartet performed at the Novi Sad Jazz festival
December 19, 2005 | Just Another Story About Creative Musicians Getting Exploited
Over the course of my career as a professional musician, I have often heard about how musicians get taken advantage of especially those who have created intellectual properties and do not get “credits” or “compensation” for. The story I am going to share today is just one of many horror stories that many musicians encounter.
Last summer, I was asked to play on a Christmas CD called “Christmas of Peace” to benefit a multi-million dollar church in New York. I like doing things for “mitzvah” and I was happy to accept the job, since it was an “improvising solo” on a tune that just have two vocalists and a piano- my improvised violin would be an integral part of the tune. I went in and had come up with some nice melodies and accompaniment parts and they told me they loved it. The record came out, and they sent me one free copy. The track sounded pretty nice.
Yesterday, my husband and I attended one of their four church services. The musicians were rehearsing as we had walked in, and I heard a violin on a tune that sounded familiar. Then, I heard the exact melodies and some of my licks that I had come up with during the session, and ended up on the track on “Christmas of Peace” CD, played by a classical violinist with lots of vibrato. It was the exact transcription of my solos, melodies and accompaniment lines.
I looked everywhere on the program. They listed all of the musicians’ names, complete lyrics, but I didn’t find my name anywhere. So the service had started, I was feeling extremely agitated, angry and sad, all of these emotions. When it came time for them to perform this tune, my heart was pounding. The classical violinist played once again the same exact lines from the written out part, which they had just rehearsed.
The problem is, number one, They never asked me for permission for them to transcribe and print out my intellectual property (improvised solos and parts that I had come up with) so they can use it for performances in front of thousands of people. Number two, I did not get a credit as an arranger. .Number three, I didn’t get paid to do this recording. Not even a penny. Number four, I didn’t have a gig that day and could have used one, since I am not rich. I am a composer and a jazz violinist. I don’t mind donating my time for churches at all. But they could have at least asked me to play at the church. If I then couldn’t do the gig and they had asked me for permission to use my solos, I would have been completely flattered.
My philosophy in working as a musician in New York had been “Go extra miles to please your client. Go above and Beyond.” And it was working pretty well until last night. I have never felt so degraded before. I don’t know what to make of this. Can someone help?
Anonymous
December 06, 2005 | Lyric Chamber Jazz Series presents Sirius String Quartet at Scandinavia House
Sirius String Quartet (Meg Okura, Gregor Huebner, Ron Lawrence, & Dave Eggar), known as an avant-garde classical string quartet, performed for the Lyric Chamber Music Society’s “Chamzz Cutting Edge” series December 5, together with bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann, and bassist John Patitucci. The performance included works by Sirius String Quartet's violinist Gregor Huebner, a four movement concert piece "Zoom In" by Daniel Schnyder, as well as compositions by John Patitucci. The word “Chamzz” is short for chamber jazz, though there was very little element of jazz. There were some improvisation by the quartet and Patitucci, however, the program focused more on compositions that incorporated non-Western influences. The series will present Paquito d’Rivera May 25, 2006.
November 26, 2005 | Meg Okura Plays Jazz With Eric Niceberg Trio in Novi Sad
Meg Okura performed at the Cultural Center of Novi Sad last night, closing the third day of the Novi Sad Jazz Festival. Eric Niceberg Trio featured Eliot Zigmund on drums and Thomas Bramarie on bass.
November 06, 2005 | Meg Okura will appear "NOVI SAD JAZZ FESTIVAL" this month!
Meg will be appearing with her jazz quartet in Novi Sad Jazz Festival in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia on November 25. She will be playing with Eric Niceburg (piano), Thomas Bramarie (bass), and Elliot Zigmund (drums).
November 03, 2005 | Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble performs at Makor on Nov. 3
Meg Okura's "Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble" is doing a double bill with Cardamon Quartet.
Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble is a female jazz ensemble playing original music with exotic sounds and rhythms, featuring:
Meg Okura (violin)
Yukari (flute)
Nesrine Balbeisi(viola)
Jennifer Vincnet (cello)
Megumi Yonezawa (piano)
sepcial guest Shane Shanahan, percussionist from Yo-Yo Ma's Silkroad Project.
October 11, 2005 | Meg Okura touring with Steve Swallow this month!
Meg is touring with the electric bass master Steve Swallow this month.
Steve Swallow/Ohad Talmor Sextet
L'histoire du Clochard
Steve Swallow (bass)
Ohad Talmor (tenor sax)
Russ Johnson (trumpet)
Meg Okura (violin)
Greg Tardy (clarinet)
Jacob Garchik (trombone)
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