The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra is pleased to announce Meg Okura as the recipient of SJO’s 9th Annual George Duke Commissioning Prize. This prize was created to honor the legacy of George Duke, SJO’s Co-Music Director from 2004 until his passing in 2013.

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Meg Okura is an acclaimed jazz violinist, composer, and bandleader whose musical journey has been defined by innovative cross-cultural collaborations. Her unique artistic vision bridges classical training, jazz improvisation, and multicultural influences.  READ MORE on Culver City Crossroads

Meg Okura was awarded the prestigious 2023 International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Fundamental Freedoms Commission Prize. The world premiere of her latest big band work, "Silent Screams: An Anthem for the Unheard," took place on May 18, 2024, during the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers Symposium at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The piece was brought to life by the Ryan Middagh Jazz Orchestra, featuring a captivating tenor saxophone solo by Jeff Coffin and a performance by Meg Okura on the violin, all under the direction of Grammy-nominated composer Mike Holober.

Meg Okura was awarded the prestigious 2024 Individual Fellowship from the Asian Cultural Council.

Her fellowship research will take place in 2026, when she will travel across Vietnam—from Pleiku to Sa Pa—to study the musical traditions of indigenous communities, including the Jarai and Hmong peoples. Through visits to different regions, Okura will observe and learn about local musical practices and cultural contexts through independent field research.

Meg Okura has been awarded the LunART for Scores 2024. Her captivating piece "Phantasmagoria" was performed at the LunART 2024 Festival, featuring magnificent musicians, Alicia Lee on clarinet, Isabella Lippi on violin, and Magdalena Sas on cello. This performance highlights Okura's innovative compositional style and her contribution to contemporary Classical music.

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WATCH their performance of "Phantasmagoria" on YOUTUBE

Meg Okura has proudly received the BRIO Awards for the second time, being recognized for her outstanding work in Musical Composition in both 2024 and 2022. This prestigious honor, awarded by Bronx Council On The Arts, highlights her exceptional talent and contributions to the music scene in New York. Her dedication and creativity continue to inspire many making her an important figure in the community. Congratulations to Meg Okura on this remarkable achievement!

READ MORE about the BRIO Awards

Congratulations to all of the women composers who won the International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) the 2023 Search for New Music Competition! We are thrilled to share that Meg Okura has been awarded the 2023 Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Prize This recognition highlights the incredible talent and creativity of women composers in the music industry. We look forward to seeing how these artists continue to shape the future of music!

Meg Okura and Kevin Hays are thrilled to their recent success in winning the Fall 2023 Jazz Road Tours grant, enabling them to take their dynamic jazz duo on tour across Hawaii. As a talented jazz composer and violinist, Meg Okura teams up with the exceptional pianist Kevin Hays to deliver original compositions and fresh interpretations of jazz standards. Their musical journey commenced in Harlem in 2014, culminating in their debut performance at the renowned "Stone" in New York City in 2016. Join them as they continue to captivate audiences with their innovative sound and passion for jazz.

READ MORE on South Arts website