Meg Okura

Bandcamp Daily "There are some stunning moments on this set from the NPO Trio of violinist Meg Okura, saxophonist Sam Newsome, and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc. Their music is a balancing act between cohesion and chaos, allowing the music to fall into one of those states while still grasping tight to its counterpart. This sense of everything coming apart at the seams creates the most intoxicating tension as the balance of power shifts back and forth. The intensity is magnified by corresponding changes in influence, from avant-garde to classical to Yiddish to modern post-bop. Recorded at NYC’s The Stone back in 2016, the electricity of the live performance comes through strong, and the presence of this music is immense." (Dave Sumner) All About Jazz “From Asia to Africa and the Americas, and from classical to jazz—via the inspiration of electronic music—Okura sees beauty everywhere and translates it into her own exquisite idiom.” (Ian Patterson) New York Times

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Bandcamp Daily "There are some stunning moments on this set from the NPO Trio of violinist Meg Okura, saxophonist Sam Newsome, and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc. Their music is a balancing act between cohesion and chaos, allowing the music to fall into one of those states while still grasping tight to its counterpart. This sense of everything coming apart at the seams creates the most intoxicating tension as the balance of power shifts back and forth. The intensity is magnified by corresponding changes in influence, from avant-garde to classical to Yiddish to modern post-bop. Recorded at NYC’s The Stone back in 2016, the electricity of the live performance comes through strong, and the presence of this music is immense." (Dave Sumner) All About Jazz “From Asia to Africa and the Americas, and from classical to jazz—via the inspiration of electronic music—Okura sees beauty everywhere and translates it into her own exquisite idiom.” (Ian Patterson) New York Times

“Ms. Okura’s vibrant, Eastern-influenced, jazzy score and the playing of her musicians were the most sophisticated parts of the work” (Roslyn Sulcas) All About Jazz

“…chamber jazz has found its queen in Meg Okura.” (Dan Bilawsky) Jazz Times

“…a stunning improvisation on top of an impressionistic backdrop.” (Bill Milkowski) Birmingham Times

“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) Sea of Tranquility

“Okura has made a bold statement with Naima, ensuring her place among the top names playing chamber jazz.” (Jon Neudorf) EJazz News

“A confident collection of chamber jazz that is wide in scope and deep in feeling…features outstanding solos by Okura.” “Meg Okura offers a clear sense of vision of her world of music. Okura's Naima goes to many places, speaks in many voices, and is often rich with surprises and admirable in its aspirations.” (Mark Hayes) New York Times

“…(Meg Okura ) is equally comfortable playing classical chamber music, rock and everything in between.” (Stephen Holden) All About Jazz

“… (some of) the best jazz New York has to offer.” (Elliot Simon) Down Beat Magazine

"... mixes a classically trained mastery of strings, piano and drums with quick-witted compositional twist performed with high energy." (Jennifer Odell) New York Sun

“The group delivers exactly what its name promises… the group found a common ground in '60s-style modality, occasionally reminiscent of John Coltrane and McCoy Tyner's Eastern explorations.” (Will Friedwald) All About Jazz

“…elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound…by presenting precisely played ethnically inspired original compositions in an exciting modern jazz context.” (Elliot Simon)

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Primary Instrument

Violin

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Clinic/Workshop Information

Meg Okura has conducted clinics and lecture concert programs for the past three years, creating unforgettable memories for over 10,000 students of all ages across the United States.

“Jazz Violin and Improvisation Workshop”
A program for students of all levels to learn the secrets of improvisation. The program will de-mystify the process of improvising by showing the basic methods for improvising, while students having a ton of fun

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Primary Instrument

Violin

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Clinic/Workshop Information

Meg Okura has conducted clinics and lecture concert programs for the past three years, creating unforgettable memories for over 10,000 students of all ages across the United States.

“Jazz Violin and Improvisation Workshop”
A program for students of all levels to learn the secrets of improvisation. The program will de-mystify the process of improvising by showing the basic methods for improvising, while students having a ton of fun. The program includes brief demonstrations of various styles of improvisation. Students will discover new possibilities for expressing their creativities in music and joy of playing their instruments, while opening their minds to diversity in music and culture.

Private Lessons in Jazz Violin and Improvisation
For advanced young students and college students, and professional violinists/violists only. Lessons could be given through Long Island University for college credits.

For college credits, please contact L.I.U. Music Department Chairman, Bob Aquino at 718-488-1051

For all of the other inquiries, please contact Meg Okura directly at 917-449-5073.

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