Naoya Ogura

A native of Kobe, Japan, Naoya Ogura（小倉直也） started playing Jazz in the school Jazz band at Hyogo Prefectural International High School, “Hoppin’ Note.” Naoya’s relationship with music began in early childhood, when he first started composing melodies on the piano and capturing them on a tape recorder. He later developed his passion for big band jazz as a trumpet player, deeply immersing himself in the timeless traditions of Count Basie and Glenn Miller. After studying at Doshisha University, he actively played jazz trumpet in various groups and eventually started composing/arranging. He belonged to the university's 18-piece jazz orchestra and played the trumpet. His band performed at many concerts and in some competitions. Besides the University Orchestra, he formed several groups and performed in jazz clubs. He led the band Naoya Ogura Septet for years and performed on the main stage of some huge jazz festivals in Japan, such as the Takatsuki Jazz Street and the Biwako Jazz Festival. After his graduation, he started his professional career as a jazz musician. Since then, he has played in many places around Japan. He participated many times in the recording of jazz albums and pop albums as a trumpeter.

In January 2020, Naoya moved to New York to pursue his profession in music. He attended Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens College, where he studied Jazz composition with Michael Phillip Mossman, Antonio Hart, Tim Armacost, Pete Calandra, David Berkman, Dennis Mackrel, and Donna Doyle. While studying at the college, he actively performed with the Queens College Ensemble. He wrote arrangements for the band and conducted it. He and his band performed at The Jimmy Heath Scholarship Fund Concert, establishing him as one of the most compelling new voices in modern jazz composition.

As a composer, his works have been well appreciated among NYC-based composers and musicians. For his works, he was awarded the Marvin Hamlisch International Music Award 2021 and the Jimmy Heath Music Award. He also became the first-prize winner of the Jimmy Heath Scholarship, established in 2022.

He is the winner of the prestigious 2026 Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize and the Manny Albam Commission. He is also a recipient of the 2026 Queens Arts Fund (QAF) New Work Grant.

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