Mari Koga

A Japanese born New Yorker, Mari Koga, has been singing professionally since her early 20’s. Early on, she won first prize at the 10th Annual Jetstream Young Vocalist contest. She was soon very much in demand as a young Jazz singer in Japan.

Mari moved to New York City to immerse herself in the New York jazz scene and started performing regularly at many popular venues in NYC. Eventually she reached the stages of New York's prestige jazz clubs such as the Blue Note, Zinc bar and Jazz at Kitano etc. She also appeared as a re-imported singer at Tokyo's top jazz venues such as Body & Soul and DUG. Mari has also performed in commercial films with clients such as the American Plastic Council and Marriot Hotels.

In the summer of 2010 she formed the Afro-Latin influenced jazz band "Afronaughtica", with her long time best friend and pianist, Chiemi Nakai as co-leader. The band debuted to a packed audience at the Creole, as part of its Afro-Cuban jazz series in July 2010. They’ve also played at Zinc bar, Tutuma social club and many other music events. They had a successful tour performing in five major cities in Japan.

Afronaughtica was nominated as the Best Next Generation Artist and Mari was nominated as the Best Latin Jazz Vocalist at the Latin Corner, the popular website of the Latin Jazz fan community.

Mari also performed as a back up singer for salsa star, Jimmy Bosch's "La Orquesta de Jimmy Bosch" and appeared at various clubs and jazz festivals, including SOB's and Savanna Music festival etc.

Audiences have been delighted by her unique repertoire, which includes original songs and unusual arrangements of jazz standards with a touch of Afro-Latin, and by her throaty horn-like improvisational scatting style.

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