Sana Nagano
Sana Nagano is a jazz violinist, composer based in NY.
About Me
Quick rising jazz violinist and improviser Sana Nagano has been active in New York since
2010, following jazz studies at Berklee College of Music and Queens College.
After performing a few years in groups as Karl Berger’s twenty-five member strong
Improvisers Orchestra (where she regularly shares the space with the likes of Jason Hwang),
and Adam Rudolph's Go: Organic Orchestra, Ms. Nagano quickly became an active member
of NYC's jazz and avant-garde music scene. Over the short period, she has performed with
such diverse musicians as Yusef Lateef, Joseph Jarman, Manhattan Symphonie, William
Parker, Daniel Carter, Oliver Lake, Glen Velez, Loire (Lori Cotler), Nioka Workman, Rocco
John Iacovone, Federico Ughi, John Ehlis, Harvey Valdes, Brittany Anjou (the Larceny
Orchestra), Bennie von Gutzeit (Turtle Island String Quartet), singer songwriter and
saxophonist Norman Salant, French vocalist Violette de Bartillat, Japanese guitarist Nori
Kikuta, Jeffrey Shurdut and others.
Being an active bandleader and composer, one of Ms. Nagano’s focus has been her new
trio, featuring vibraphonist Karl Berger and guitarist John Ehlis. Their 2014 debut album,
Inside the Rainbow, has been recognized as an unusual accomplishment in “free jazz” or
”creative music”. Ms. Nagano also co-leads an acoustic jazz-duo Sparkling Weather with
Swiss guitarist Marius Dubouble, avant-middle eastern duo with guitarist/out player Harvey
Valdes, and a collective avant-jazz trio with Mr. Valdes and drummer Federico Ughi.
My Jazz Story
I love jazz because it fits my colors, personality. I was first exposed to jazz when I lived in Memphis, TN as a classical violin major. I had a lot of good friends and teachers who played jazz and blues so naturally I start feeling connected to it. I met Karl Berger, Joseph Jarman, Yusef Lateef, Daniel Carter, Adam Rudolph, Joe Lovano, Roy Hargrove etc. The best show I ever attended was Ambrose Akinmusire's gigs at Jazz Standards, Spring 2011, Ingrid Laubrock Orchestra at the Stone I believe in 2012 etc. The first jazz record I bought was Monk Meets Mulligan My advice to new listeners. Be opened to everything you experience, feel and meet.
