Born: August 31, 1980 Primary Instrument: Violin
Tomoko Omura is a jazz violinist/composer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Shizuoka, Japan, she began studying the violin at a young age with her mother, and began playing jazz music while studying at Yokohama National University. In 2004, Tomoko relocated to the United States when she was awarded a scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
While at Berklee, Tomoko worked with such legendary musicians as George Garzone, Hal Crook, Ed Tomassi, Jamey Haddad, Matt Glaser and Rob Thomas. In 2005, during her sophomore year, she was awarded Berklee's prestigious Roy Haynes award; an award given to one student for their exceptional improvisational skills. Tomoko was the first violinist in Berklee's history to receive this award. She graduated summa cum laude in 2007.
Shortly after graduation, Tomoko recorded her debut album, “Visions” (2008). Violinist Matt Glaser praises it: “Her playing here is uniformly amazing, with great ideas, great tone, perfect intonation and great feel...”. And from the British magazine The Strad: “Omura is a strong improviser: snappy phrasing, harmonic scope and a willingness to open out run through the music.” “Mark's Passion”, one of Tomoko's original compositions from “Visions”, received an Honorable Mention in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition. She was also featured as a Rising Star in the June 2009 edition of Strings magazine.
Since moving to NY in 2010, Tomoko has performed with a wide range of musicians including Fabian Almazan, Vadim Neselovskyi, The Mahavishnu Project, Aubrey Johnson and Simon Yu. She was also a full time member of world music band Guy Mendilow Ensemble, and Celtic music band RUNA. She currently performs regularly with vintage jazz band Carte Blanche.
Tomoko performs her music regularly around New York City. She plans on recording her second CD in the spring of 2013.
More info: Visit: www.tomokoomura.com
Awards:
Roy Haynes Award, 2005, Berklee College of MusicHonorable Mention, 2008 International Songwriting Competition
Tomoko Omura's Visions is a fine example of jazz violin for those who want to explore beyond the Grappelli genre. Omura is a strong improviser:snappy phrasing, harmonic scope and a willingness to open out run through the music, whether it is post-bop or fusion-tinged. At the same time, the sound is unforced, understated but not limp, clean but not prissy. Bassist Dan Carpel is no less laid-back, while the drums provide drive in the more up-tempo numbers. The overall effect is a fresh group sound that mixes a contemporary feel and established jazz idioms with considerable success. For the violin, this is a rarity.
Visions
Independent
2008
Enigmatic Vision: New World Order: Stephane's Waltz: Zbigniew: Mark's Passion: Stuffy: Italian Gem.
Personel: Tomoko Omura: Violin, Victor Gould: Piano, Rhodes, Dan Carpel: Bass, Jeffrey Fajardo: Drums.
As A Side Musician
Dedication
Jazz Revelation Records
2009
On "New Visions"
One Life
Mai Kuraki
2008
On "Be With U". As A Side Musician
Platinum Blesslet
Lisa Yamaguchi
2007
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