THE J-ORCHESTRA
J-ORCHESTRA
Is it Jewish and jazz?
Or Japanese and jazz? Is it all three? What matters is that The J-Orchestra isn't your nana's 1930's big band, though she would loved it. The J-Orchestra will swing and rock your world with ferocious drums and orgasmic winds and brass, making you feel 23 again. A Grammy-nominated violinist, Meg Okura first debuted the J-Orchestra in 2016, a Big band consisting of the top jazz and Broadway musicians, playing both through-composed works and experimental music and noises conducted and led by Okura. Meg Okura being Jewish and Japanese, the orchestra performs jazz compositions of Jewish and Japanese themes. The J-Orchestra is a group of musicians and composers experimenting with dangerous musical ideas while embracing the historical traditions of American jazz.
The orchestra will not disappoint you because they receive the public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
THE PLAYERS
Alejandro Alives
Woodwinds
John Lake
trumpet
Remy LeBouef
Woodwinds
Pete McCan
Guitar
Andrew Gould
Woodwinds
Dave Smith
Trumpet
Nick Grinder
Trombone
Sam Dillon
Woodwinds
Jennifer Wharton
Bass Trombone a.k.a. the Boss
Ben Kono
Woodwinds
Paul Wells
Drums
Evan Gregor
Bass
Carl Maraghi
Bari Sax
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THE COMPOSERS
Miho Hazama
composer
Meg Okura
composer violinist
Erica Seguine
composer
Noriko Ueda
composer bass player
Migiwa Miyajima
Idan Santhaus
composer wind player
Asuka Kakitani
composer
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Meg Okura
WOODWINDS:
Ben Kono
Remy Le Bouef
Quinsin Nachoff
Sam Dillon
Carl Maragi:
TROMBONES:
Matt McDonald
Nick Grinder
Eric Miller
Jennifer Wharton
TRUMPETS:
John Walsh
John Lake
Dave Smith
Matt Holman
RHYTHM SECTION:
Paul Wells (drums)
Evan Gregor (bass)
Pete McCann (guitar)
Arcolris Sandoval (piano)