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Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble

Founded by violinist Meg Okura, the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound,” - Elliot Simon, All About Jazz (2006). Born in Tokyo, Okura toured all of Asia as a solo violinist, making her U.S. debut at Kennedy Center as a teen. Graduate of the Juilliard School, she has appeared on over 50 albums and film scores as a composer, violinist and an erhu player, and has performed with artists from Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Michael Brecker, Dianne Reeves, to Cirque du Soleil and David Bowie, to actor Terrence Haward. The P.A.C.J.E. has appeared in a range of venues from Knitting Factory to Lincoln Center, the NYC Winter JazzFest, to KL International Jazz Festival, sold-out concerts tours in the Midwest, California and Japan. The ensemble’s self-titled debut album was the finalist in the Best Album of 2006 Independent Musicians Awards. Okura was named “the queen of chamber jazz” in 2010 by the All About Jazz after the release of their second album “Naima”. In 2013, the ensemble released “Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto”, featuring pianist Helen Sung. The ensemble will be recording its first Jewish/Asian themed album “L’dor Vador” (from generation to generation) this year.

Awards

2015 Recipient, Manhattan Community Arts Fund (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) 2014 Recipient, New Music USA Project Grant (New Music USA) 2013 Recipient, Manhattan Community Arts Fund (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) 2012 Brand Personality Award (Asia Pacific Brands Foundation) 2008 Recipient, Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant 2007 American Composers Forum, Jerome Composers Commissioning Program 2007 Recipient, Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant 2006 Best Album, Independent Music Awards 2006 Urban Artist Initiative 2006 Recipient, Honorable Mention – 2005 International Songwriting Competition


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Performance / Tour

Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble to Peform at St Paul's Chapel

Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble to Peform at St Paul's Chapel

Source: All About Jazz

The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble Meg Okura, violin and erhu Jun Kubo, flute Jennifer Vincent, cello Mamiko Kituara, piano Rich Stein, percussion Monday April 23, 2007 1 PM $2 Suggested Donation St Paul's Chapel (Broadway at Fulton Street) On Monday April 23rd Trinity Concerts will welcome Meg Okura and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble into the intimate musical confines of ...

“Meg has created what surely must someday become a Jazz standard. Meg Okura has given a stunning reintroduction to the music from the genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto.” - Travis Rogers, Jazz Times

“chamber jazz has found its queen in Meg Okura.” - Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“…a stunning improvisation on top of an impressionistic backdrop.” - Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

"... mixes a classically trained mastery of strings, piano and drums with quick-witted compositional twist performed with high energy." - Jennifer Odell, The Down Beat Magazine

“Naima is the magnificent new release from violin virtuoso Meg Okura and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. Captivating, exciting and refreshing are just one way to describe the track offerings that are featured. Aptly named after one of John Coltrane’s famous compositions, Naima is marvelously diverse mixing the past, present and future.” - Esther Cailens, Birmingham Times

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Music of Ryuichi...

Self Produced
2013

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Naima

Self Produced
2010

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Videos

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