Meg Okura and Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble at The Jazz Gallery

Meg Okura and Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble
The Jazz Gallery
New York, NY
February 19, 2026

Freewheeling, versatile, and razor sharp, Meg Okura brought her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble to The Jazz Gallery on Thursday, February 19th in support of both the group's newly released fifth album Isaiah and the 20th anniversary of the group's formation. The entire set—one of two this night—focused exclusively on Okura's originals from Isaiah and culminated with an appearance from special guest and legendary trumpeter, Randy Brecker. Each of the show's seven selections showcased Okura's tightly honed skills as a visionary, imaginative bandleader and orchestrator with interests in cross-pollinating styles and practices from different musics across the planet. 

Beginning with the titular track from the group's latest outing, Okura and company wasted no time setting the tone for the entire evening. Led by the percussive, wah-wah chugging of guitarist John Lee, the versatile ensemble launched into a setting which could believably pass for one Henry Mancini's cop show themes from the 1970s. Airtight brass from trombonist Rebecca Patterson and trumpeter David Smith sat atop a propulsive rhythm section of bassist Evan Gregor, harpist Riza Printup and drummer Peter Kronreif while also supporting lyrical melodic unisons from Okura's violin and a wind section made up of flautist Anne Drummond and clarinetist Sam Sadigursky. This aural joy ride of a tune was followed by the piece "Rice Country" which took an almost schizophrenic amount of stylistic detours; most of which recalled Aaron Copeland's emphatic celebrations of American tropes while intersecting in brilliant chaos just as often in the manner of Charles Ives. These fluid twists and turns were on abundant display throughout the set.

There were at least a dozen soloist highlights across the selections and including each member of the all-star cast. Pianist Brian Marsella's almost stopped the show with a virtuosic stride-infused cadenza on the aforementioned "Rice Country" and an extended winding solo later on during the West African-inspired "African Skies" which frequently caused guest Randy Brecker to turn his head in amazement. Okura took several fiery, tasteful spots of her own throughout the set which were always in service to the specific context and world of each composition. Flautist Drummond had several standout moments as well on tunes including the eccentric "Sushi Gadol" and guitarist John Lee absolutely blazed thru the end of the bluesy "Sunset Bells." On that tune and "African Skies," special guest Randy Brecker contributed likewise immaculate passages of sonic brilliance. The final standout performance moment came from soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome during the Eastern folk and Klezmer-inspired closing selection named "Jubberish." Newsome, another guest artist joining the group for this occasion, drove things home with a lively, ecstatic solo that felt like a lively and definitive exclamation point for all that preceded. 

The ensemble commanded the stage throughout all 75 minutes of their set and Okura's stunning achievement in presenting such a varied, impressive vision of all sorts of cultural and musical elements interacting in ever novel ways cannot be overstated. It was an inspiring show from beginning to end.