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Miles Okazaki

Miles Okazaki, the son of a painter and photographer, grew up in the Pacific Northwest in the small city of Port Townsend. He began to experiment with the guitar at the age of six, and remains a primarily self-taught musician. As a teenager, he was recognized with many awards for exceptional achievements in Music and Visual Art.

Okazaki's formal studies were at Harvard University, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School. He has pursued a variety of subjects, including Visual Arts, Literature and Language, Mathematics, and Music. He has toured and recorded with a wide variety of artists, including Stanley Turrentine, Lenny Pickett, Samir Chatterjee, Jane Monheit, Jen Shyu, Dan Weiss, David Binney, and others.

Recently, Okazaki has focused primarily on composing and studying improvisational concepts. In 2006, he recorded his debut album, Mirror, funding this project with his winnings as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. This album, called "a work of sustained collectivity as well as deep intricacy" by the New York Times, won a "New Works" grant from Chamber Music America to produce a second volume of compositions. This project became Generations, on Sunnyside Records. Currently Okazaki plays guitar for Steve Coleman and Five Elements, and is working on several new commissions, including a new ensemble work for the French-American Jazz Exchange program, music for classical guitar, and a new collection of compositions for his third album.

Gear

Gibson ES-175 Charlie Christian (Electric) Yamaha SA 2200 (Electric) Gibson C0(Classical) Fender Twin Reverb


Tags

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Album Review

Miguel Zenón: Golden City

Read "Golden City" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


La musica contenuta in questo album trae spunto da una commissione ricevuta da Miguel Zenón per la composizione di una suite basata sulla storia di San Francisco e della Bay Area, evidenziando in particolare i contributi offerti da parte delle comunità giapponese, cinese, messicana e, ovviamente, afroamericana. Ne è nata così questa Golden City, presentata in anteprima al San Francisco Jazz Center nel 2022 e incisa poi a fine novembre dell'anno seguente. Per l'occasione Zenón (portoricano, lo ricordiamo) ...

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Album Review

Miguel Zenon: Golden City

Read "Golden City" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


The alto saxophone rose to jazz prominence in the 1940s, under the influence of Charlie Parker and the birth of bebop. Important players such as Art Pepper, Lee Konitz and Ornette Coleman took the horn in their own directions, crafting distinctive alto saxophone voices. Moving ahead to the new millennium, no alto saxophonist has entered the tradition with more style and panache than Miguel Zenon. His Alma Aldentro: The Puerto Rican Songbook (Marsalis Music, 2011), Tipico (Miel Music, 2017) and ...

45
Album Review

Various Guitarists: The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. I

Read "The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. I" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Produced by laudable guitarist/composer Joel Harrison and the Alternative Guitar Summit, The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. 1 is a compelling exploration of the intersections between jazz, classical and world music traditions--think of it as a musical United Nations, where six-stringed diplomats from various genres come together to harmonize. In the album liners, Harrison states, “The idea for this project started when I presented a concert of virtual solo performances from around the world during the pandemic." Hence, it ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Miles Okazaki, Reinier Baas, Orlando le Fleming, Gregory Uhlmann & More

Read "Miles Okazaki, Reinier Baas, Orlando le Fleming, Gregory Uhlmann & More" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


A playlist made of imaginary soundtracks, electro-acoustic experiments, guitar-driven alchemies and virtuosic intricacy.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Remy Le Boeuf “Stop & Go" Heartland Radio (SoundSpore) 0:16 Host talks 6:19 Slowly Rolling Camera “Silver Shadow" Silver Shadow (Edition) 7:29 Host talks 11:48 Orlando le Fleming “Sense of the Sacred" Romantic Funk: Wandering Talk (Whirlwind) 13:24 Reinier Baas “Wahid Jive" Relief Party (Dox) 20:07 Host talks 22:55 Miles ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Miles Okazaki: A Fresh Take on the Creative Process

Read "Miles Okazaki: A Fresh Take on the Creative Process" reviewed by David Bixler


After several decades of creating music in a manner that was beginning to feel routine, guitarist Miles Okazaki was searching for a fresh way to make music. He examined the processes of artists Ed Ruscha, Sol Lewitt, and Ken Price as templates for creating. In possession of these new ideas gleaned from these artists, he went into the studio with a group of musicians who were given prompts which were recorded and formed into what Miles refers to as musical ...

Album Review

Miles Okazaki: Miniature America

Read "Miniature America" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


Ventidue miniature svarianti da uno a sei minuti, con impegnati sottoinsiemi (o microgruppi, se preferite) estrapolati dal totale dei dieci elementi, sette strumentisti e tre cantanti, coinvolti nell'operazione, è quanto ci offre questo nuovo lavoro discografico (il dodicesimo, ci viene detto) a nome del cinquantenne chitarrista Miles Okazaki, con la partecipazione di svariati musicisti di punta dell'attuale scena newyorchese (e non). Ogni episodio possiede--fisiologicamente, verrebbe da dire--un aplomb cameristico di sicuro fascino, anche se è inevitabile che il ...

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Radio & Podcasts

America in Miniatures And More

Read "America in Miniatures And More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


The featured album on this edition is from guitarist Miles Okazaki who gathers an extraordinary cast of ten musicians to create Miniature America, a collection of 22 vignettes exploring the wonder of chance encounters and “found" compositions. I am featuring four of these pieces. The rest of the show includes brand new releases of both studio and live albums. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Miles Okazaki “Promise Me" from Miniature America (Cygnus Recordings) 00:22 Nick Rosario “Riverside Express" from ...

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Performance / Tour

Composer/Bassist Alexis Cuadrado Presents Poetica, Featuring Rowan Ricardo Philips, Melcion Mateu, Miles Okazaki, Andy Milne & Tyshawn Sorey

Composer/Bassist Alexis Cuadrado Presents Poetica, Featuring Rowan Ricardo Philips, Melcion Mateu, Miles Okazaki, Andy Milne & Tyshawn Sorey

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Composer/Bassist ALEXIS CUADRADO Presents POETICA: A multi-disciplinary new work by Alexis Cuadrado crossing languages and poetry in collaboration with authors/poets Rowan Ricardo Philips and Melcion Mateu In Residency at jny: Seeds Brooklyn April 30 & May 1, 2, 3, 2014 Located at 617 Vanderbilt Ave Brooklyn, NY 11238 Featuring: Alexis Cuadrado - Composer & double bass, Rowan Ricardo Philips - Poetry, Melcion Mateu - Poetry, Miles Okazaki - Guitar, Andy Milne - Keyboards, Tyshawn ...

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Education

Rhythmic Foundations With Miles Okazaki

Rhythmic Foundations With Miles Okazaki

Source: Marco Chelo

Guitarist Miles Okazaki, long time collaborator with Chris Potter, Steve Coleman and many others to start a weekly rhythm class at the New York Jazz Workshop. The class will be held In New York every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 pm at 853 Rehearsal Studios, 853 7th Avenue, (between 54th and 55th street). This course is a survey of the fundamentals of musical rhythm and time. It serves to strengthen and test rhythmic foundations for advanced students, and to ...

186

Radio

The Jazz Session #66: Miles Okazaki

The Jazz Session #66: Miles Okazaki

Source: All About Jazz

Listen Guitarist and composer Miles Okazaki talks about his album Generations (Sunnyside, 2009). The album finds Okazaki mining some of the same territory from his debut record, Mirrors, but this time with a focus on in-depth exploration and group improvisation. Featuring standout work from saxophonists Miguel Zenon, David Binney, and Christof Knoche; along with vocalist Jen Shyu, drummer Dan Weiss, and bassist Jon Flaugher. In this interview, Okazaki talks about the philosophy behind the album, and why the music also ...

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Performance / Tour

Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki Live at the Jazz Gallery-Thurs, April 12!

Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki Live at the Jazz Gallery-Thurs, April 12!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI LIVE At The Jazz Gallery-Thurs, April 12, sets at 9:00, 10:30, $12 290 Hudson Street FEATURING Miles Okazaki (guitar, compositions), Miguel Zenon (alto sax), David Binney (alto sax), Christof Knoche (reeds), Thomas Morgan (bass), Dan Weiss (drums) THIS SHOW IS PART OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT CD: Mirror (OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 3) “ . . . Okazaki composed all of the music on “Mirror," his ambitious ...

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Performance / Tour

Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki Live at the Jazz Gallery on April 12 with Special Guest Miguel Zenon

Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki Live at the Jazz Gallery on April 12 with Special Guest Miguel Zenon

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI LIVE At The Jazz Gallery-Thurs, April 12, sets at 9:00, 10:30, $12 290 Hudson Street FEATURING Miles Okazaki (guitar, compositions), Miguel Zenon (alto sax), David Binney (alto sax), Christof Knoche (reeds), Thomas Morgan (bass), Dan Weiss (drums) THIS SHOW IS PART OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT CD: Mirror (OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 3) Available at www.milesokazaki.com or http://cdbaby.com/cd/milesokazaki “...Okazaki composed all of the music on ...

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Recording

Check out "Mirror" - The Debut Recording from Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki

Check out "Mirror" - The Debut Recording from Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

ON APRIL 3 GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI OFFICIALLY RELEASES HIS DEBUT RECORDING - Mirror Available at www.milesokazaki.com, or www.CDBaby.com Catch Miles Okazaki At The Jazz Gallery (290 Hudson Street) -Thursday, April 12, sets at 9:00 & 10:30, $12, with Miguel Zenon & David Binney (alto saxes), Christof Knoche (reeds), Jon Flaugher (bass) and Dan Weiss (drums) “...Okazaki composed all of the music on “Mirror," his ambitious and involving debut. He also produced the album, created its striking cover illustrations ...

187

Performance / Tour

Upcoming CD Release Performances by Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki-Feb 12 & April 12!

Upcoming CD Release Performances by Guitarist/Composer Miles Okazaki-Feb 12 & April 12!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI

At The 55 Bar - Monday, February 12, sets at 9:30, 11:00, $10 Greenwich village, 55 Christopher St.

At The Jazz Gallery - Thursday, April 12, sets at 9:00, 10:30, $12 290 Hudson Street

SHOWS ARE PART OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT CD MIRROR (OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 3)

“Okazaki composed all of the music on Mirror, his ambitious and involving debut. He also produced the album, created its ...

141

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at the 55 Bar and the Jazz Gallery

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at the 55 Bar and the Jazz Gallery

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI At The 55 Bar-Monday, Feb 12, sets at 9:30, 11:00, $10 Greenwich village, 55 Christopher St. At The Jazz Gallery-Thurs, April 12, sets at 9:00, 10:30, $12 290 Hudson Street SHOWS ARE PART OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT CD: Mirror (OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 3) Available at www.milesokazaki.com, or http://cdbaby.com/cd/milesokazaki “...Okazaki composed all of the music on “Mirror," his ambitious and ...

152

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at The 55 Bar December 3

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at The 55 Bar December 3

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

GUITARIST/COMPOSER MILES OKAZAKI At The 55 Bar - Sunday, December 3 Greenwich village, 55 Christopher St. sets at 9:30, 11:00, $10

Featuring Miles Okazaki-guitar, Miguel Zenon-alto sax, David Binney-alto sax, Christof Knoche-reeds, Jon Flaugher-bass, Dan Weiss- drums

DECEMBER 3 MARKS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF APPEARANCES TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF HIS DEBUT CD, MIRROR

Available at www.milesokazaki.com, or http://cdbaby.com/cd/ milesokazaki

In celebration and support of his debut recording, Mirror, guitarist and composer ...

102

Performance / Tour

Miles Okazaki Jazz in Progres-Monk in Motion: The Next Face of Jazz December 7 @ 7pm at Tribeca Performing Arts Center

Miles Okazaki Jazz in Progres-Monk in Motion: The Next Face of Jazz December 7 @ 7pm at Tribeca Performing Arts Center

Source: All About Jazz

December 6, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Tribeca Performing Arts Center Borough of Manhattan Community College presents Jazz in Progress Monk in Motion: The Next Face of Jazz A Partnership between Tribeca Performing Arts Center and the Thelonious Monk Institute presents the top three winners from the renowned 18th Annual Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Each concert features one winner and their combo from various parts of the world, demonstrating the versatility and variety of jazz guitar styles. ...

On Miles Okazaki's MIRROR:

"The guitarist Miles Okazaki composed all the music on Mirror, his ambitious and involving debut. He also produced the album, created its striking cover illustrations and released the thing himself. . . . Mr. Okazaki has produced a work of sustained collectivity as well as deep intricacy."

— Nate Chinen, The New York Times "Critics Pick"

"an impressive self-released CD filled with compositions that are simultaneously complex and catchy . . . the work of a musician eager to get his career under way."
— Time Out New York

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Degrees from Harvard University (B.A.), Manhattan School of Music (M.M.). Juilliard (Artist Diploma, 2010). 10 years teaching experience. Lessons in Guitar, Harmony, Rhythmic Theory, Composition.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Miniature America

Cygnus Recordings
2024

buy

The Middle of...

AGS Recordings
2024

buy

Golden City

Miel Music
2024

buy

Quality of Joy

Outhere Music Group
2023

buy

Live in Brooklyn

Cygnus Recordings
2023

buy

Thisness

Pi Recordings
2022

buy

The Cocktail Party

From: Miniature America
By Miles Okazaki

Parallax

From: Resonant Bodies
By Miles Okazaki

Videos

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