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

Jon Irabagon: Server Farm

Read "Server Farm" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
March 7, 2025

Artificial Intelligence would have a hard job pinning down saxophonist Jon Irabagon's defining characteristics. When a player is as talented as Irabagon, who can turn his hand to almost any style, sometimes the challenge is to find a focus that stimulates. On Server Farm, Irabagon has taken the notion of AI and the ever increasing prevalence of the digital world as his casus belli. Not that he uses AI himself in composing the album, rather as the PR reveals, he ...

Album Review

Jon Irabagon: Server Farm

Read "Server Farm" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
February 28, 2025

"The times they are a-changin.'" Bob Dylan said that in 1964. He was right. In 2025, they are still changing, perhaps most notably with the emergence of artificial intelligence. That previously slow creep--outlined so accurately in Arthur C. Clarke's novel 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968, paired with Stanely Kubrick's movie of the same name--will build to a tipping point leading to an implosion. The takeover is inevitable. The only way to address it is through the arts. This is ...

Album Review

Jon Irabagon: Server Farm

Read "Server Farm" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
February 19, 2025

Warning! Warning! Heads up! Spoiler alert! Server Farm has the potential to take your head to some random places. Some alarming (as all artists should be these days), Some cacophonous. Some claustrophobic. Others freeing, fleeting, fervent. Server Farm, saxophonist/composer Jon Irabagon's heatedly precise and prescient head-on clash with the threat of AI blisters the binary codes and algorithms of the connected world (which makes us all individual heads of the Hydra) both surgically and haphazardly, letting it all ...

Album Review

Miguel Zenón: Golden City

Read "Golden City" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro

by Alberto Bazzurro
November 5, 2024

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) ...

Album Review

Miguel Zenon: Golden City

Read "Golden City" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
September 22, 2024

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 ...

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

by Glenn Astarita
September 14, 2024

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 ...

Radio & Podcasts

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

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 23, 2024

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 ...

Performance / Tour

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

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
March 20, 2014

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

Source: Marco Chelo
April 17, 2012

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 ...
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186

Radio

The Jazz Session #66: Miles Okazaki

Source: All About Jazz
July 13, 2009

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!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
April 3, 2007

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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127

Performance / Tour

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

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
March 15, 2007

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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103

Recording

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

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
February 15, 2007

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 ...
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187

Performance / Tour

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

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
February 8, 2007

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 ...
read more

141

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at the 55 Bar and the Jazz Gallery

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
February 7, 2007

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 ...
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152

Performance / Tour

Guitarist Miles Okazaki at The 55 Bar December 3

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
December 1, 2006

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 ...
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102

Performance / Tour

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 7, 2005

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. ...
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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

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

"a dynamic work of ingenuity. This intelligent, unique recording is one of this year's best releases."
— Mark F. Turner, allaboutjazz.com

"Okazaki's self-produced debut release has all the markings of a deeply searching, highly emotional musician"

— Budd Kopman, allaboutjazz.com

"Okazaki's striking new release Mirror showcases an ambitious and far-reaching new talent"
— Marcus Crowder, Sacramento Bee

"a stunning debut . . . as logical as Euclid and as untidy as birth"
— Mel Minter, Alibi

"Okazaki achieves an impressive and distinctive sound"
— Robert Doerschuk, Downbeat

"an intriguing and irrefutably, captivating set"
— Glenn Astarita, ejazznews

an "audaciously ambitious debut album"
— George Kanzler, Hot House "Winning Spins"

"a landmark in recorded guitar literature"
— Rodney Jones

"Impressive, promising debut"
— Tom Hull, Village Voice Jazz Consumer's Guide

"complex, attractive music . . . compelling and powerful"
— Peter Monaghan, Earshot Jazz

"Okazaki is a well traveled guitar man that has a lot on the ball. This is a delightful ear opener"
— Midwest Record

"On his ambitious solo debut, guitarist-composer Miles Okazaki has conceived a heady, extended work."
— Bill Milkowski, JazzTimes

"for those wanting greater breadth and depth, Okazaki's debut as a leader represents a welcome departure"
— John Kelman, allaboutjazz.com

"so kinetic and electrifying I could barely stay in my seat . . . In sum, Okazaki has created something new, personal, exciting and accessible despite the complexities roiling beneath the surface. Marvelous."
— Budd Kopman, allaboutjazz.com, live show review

"Shockingly vital and very gratifying . . . at the forefront of the merger between world music elements and jazz, and the fusion here is not only successful, but points the way into possible future paths. On his first recording as leader, he certainly breaks the mould and with a vengeance. Perhaps not for the more faint-hearted, but for the rest of us, Okazaki's "Mirror" is a "Through the Looking Glass" of musical adventure."
— Brad Walseth, jazzchicago.net

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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.