Meg Okura (born August 9, 1973) is an American jazz violinist, composer, erhu player, and leader of the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, based in New York City.[1] She is also a member of the band Pharaoh's Daughter, Emilio Solla y La Inestable de Brooklyn, which was nominated for the 57th Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album, and New York Tango Quartet, among others. She has worked with jazz and pop artists such as Michael Brecker, Lee Konitz, Dianne Reeves, Steve Swallow, Tom Harrell, David Bowie and Mariko Takahashi as well as actor/musician Terrence Howard. Okura has also been the featured violinist in the Cirque du Soleil shows Varekai, Corteo and Wintuk.
Meg Okura | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | 大倉恵 (Megumi Okura) |
| Also known as | Meg Okura, 大倉めぐみ |
| Born | August 9, 1973 Ome, Japan |
| Genres | chamber jazz, Jazz, world, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Violin, erhu, electric violin |
| Years active | 2001-present |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editMeg Okura (大倉恵, born in Tokyo, Japan), started studying music at Toho Gakuen School of Music at five. As a child, she served as a church pianist and organist at an Evangelical church in her home town of Ome. In the early 1990s, Meg Okura toured Asia as the concertmaster and soloist of the Asian Youth Orchestra. In 1992, she made her U.S. solo debut with the late Alexander Schneider and the New York String Orchestra at Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. She has earned bachelor's and master's degrees from The Juilliard School as a classical violinist.[1][2]
Personal life
editMeg Okura has been married to American jazz soprano saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome since 2004.
Honors and awards
editChamber Music America New Jazz Works – 2018
The Grammy Award, 2015 (Nominee)
Manhattan Community Arts Fund (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council)- 2013 & 2015
New Music USA Project Grant (New Music USA)- 2014
Brand Personality Award, The BrandLaureate Asia Pacific Brands Foundation)- 2012
Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant – 2008
Manhattan Community Art fund (LMCC)- 2008
American Composers Forum, Jerome Composers Commissioning Program- 2007–2008
Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant Urban Artist Initiative / NYC – 2006
2005 International Songwriting Competition (Honorable Mention)
2005 American University Saxophone Symposium Composition Contest (Honorable Mention)
The 2003 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Honorable Mention)
The 2000 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Honorable Mention)
Discography
editAs A Leader[3]
- IMA IMA by Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2018) – featuring Tom Harrell
- NPO Trio Live at The Stone (2018)
- Las Vegas Tango (2013)
- Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto by Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2013)[4]
- Naima (Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble) (2010)
- Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble (2006)
- Be Thou My Vision (Life Music Japan)
- Peace In My Heart (Life Music Japan)(1998)
- Never Alone (Life Music Japan)(2000)
References
edit- ^ a b "megokura.com". www.megokura.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
- ^ goldenland. "Meg Okura | goldenland". goldenland.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
- ^ "Meg Okura | Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
- ^ Tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto, CD Baby, 2013-10-07, retrieved 2016-10-12