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Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble

Founded by violinist Meg Okura, the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble “elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound,” - Elliot Simon, All About Jazz (2006). Born in Tokyo, Okura toured all of Asia as a solo violinist, making her U.S. debut at Kennedy Center as a teen. Graduate of the Juilliard School, she has appeared on over 50 albums and film scores as a composer, violinist and an erhu player, and has performed with artists from Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Michael Brecker, Dianne Reeves, to Cirque du Soleil and David Bowie, to actor Terrence Haward. The P.A.C.J.E. has appeared in a range of venues from Knitting Factory to Lincoln Center, the NYC Winter JazzFest, to KL International Jazz Festival, sold-out concerts tours in the Midwest, California and Japan. The ensemble’s self-titled debut album was the finalist in the Best Album of 2006 Independent Musicians Awards. Okura was named “the queen of chamber jazz” in 2010 by the All About Jazz after the release of their second album “Naima”. In 2013, the ensemble released “Music of Ryuichi Sakamoto”, featuring pianist Helen Sung. The ensemble will be recording its first Jewish/Asian themed album “L’dor Vador” (from generation to generation) this year.

Awards

2015 Recipient, Manhattan Community Arts Fund (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) 2014 Recipient, New Music USA Project Grant (New Music USA) 2013 Recipient, Manhattan Community Arts Fund (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) 2012 Brand Personality Award (Asia Pacific Brands Foundation) 2008 Recipient, Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant 2007 American Composers Forum, Jerome Composers Commissioning Program 2007 Recipient, Meet the Composer, Metlife Creative Connections Grant 2006 Best Album, Independent Music Awards 2006 Urban Artist Initiative 2006 Recipient, Honorable Mention – 2005 International Songwriting Competition

Meg Okura's Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble to Peform at St Paul's Chapel

Source: All About Jazz
April 17, 2007

The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble Meg Okura, violin and erhu Jun Kubo, flute Jennifer Vincent, cello Mamiko Kituara, piano Rich Stein, percussion Monday April 23, 2007 1 PM $2 Suggested Donation St Paul's Chapel (Broadway at Fulton Street) On Monday April 23rd Trinity Concerts will welcome Meg Okura and the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble into the intimate musical confines of ...
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“Meg has created what surely must someday become a Jazz standard. Meg Okura has given a stunning reintroduction to the music from the genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto.” - Travis Rogers, Jazz Times

“chamber jazz has found its queen in Meg Okura.” - Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“…a stunning improvisation on top of an impressionistic backdrop.” - Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

"... mixes a classically trained mastery of strings, piano and drums with quick-witted compositional twist performed with high energy." - Jennifer Odell, The Down Beat Magazine

“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, Birmingham Times

“Meg has created what surely must someday become a Jazz standard. Meg Okura has given a stunning reintroduction to the music from the genius of Ryuichi Sakamoto.” - Travis Rogers, Jazz Times

“chamber jazz has found its queen in Meg Okura.” - Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“…a stunning improvisation on top of an impressionistic backdrop.” - Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times

"... mixes a classically trained mastery of strings, piano and drums with quick-witted compositional twist performed with high energy." - Jennifer Odell, The Down Beat Magazine

“Okura has assembled a unique and very accomplished ensemble that infuses each piece with a sense of depth, texture, melodic richness and power….Okura’s violin captivates and inspires…successfully blends the musical cultures of East and West for a new and exciting direction in modern jazz expression. Bravo!” - Eric Harabadian, Jazz Inside New York Magazine “…classically trained mastery of strings, piano, and drums with quick- witted compositional twists performed with high energy.” Downbeat

“…elegantly intertwine(s) elements of classical, jazz and world folk into a new sound. …they do so by presenting precisely played ethnically inspired original compositions in an exciting modern jazz context.” “… (some of) the best jazz New York has to offer.” - All About Jazz

“ 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." New York Sun

“The vision is radical but the flawless execution and inspired delivery make it seem natural … Meg Okura defies convention by breaking through all boundaries with her revolutionary vision that is redefining our understanding of and perspective on modern music. …The music is refined, sophisticated, emotional, progressive, and hip all at once. …This is real world fusion… This is the future of instrumental music...” - World Fusion Reviews

“…very original and fresh. …It is relaxing it is invigorating. It never disappoints; rather it draws your attention throughout the entire production. The compositions are complex, the skill of the musicians is without question.” - Boudica’s Music Reviews

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