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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

Trickster: Live in Brooklyn

Read "Live in Brooklyn" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
August 27, 2023

If one is looking for an artist whose ambition and indefatigable spirit seemed destined to withstand the rigors of the Covid pandemic and its deleterious impact on the jazz community, guitarist Miles Okazaki could be near the top of the list. A prolific and well-recorded musician before 2020, he maintained a rigorously creative schedule after it as well, with four albums released between 2020 and 2022, not the least of which was Trickster's Dream (Pi Recordings, 2020), Okazaki's resilient reclamation ...

Album Review

Aka Moon: Quality of Joy

Read "Quality of Joy" reviewed by Mario Calvitti

by Mario Calvitti
April 3, 2023

Superato anche il traguardo dei 30 anni di attività, il trio belga degli Aka Moon ritorna con un nuovo progetto discografico, che rappresenta una summa del lavoro svolto finora, ma anche un nuovo punto di partenza verso altri orizzonti musicali. Come già accaduto in passato, al trio di base, costituito dal sassofonista Fabrizio Cassol, dal bassista Michel Hatzigeorgiou e dal batterista Stéphane Galland e rimasto invariato in tutti questi anni, si aggiunge un fitto stuolo di musicisti ospiti ...

Album Review

Miles Okazaki: Thisness

Read "Thisness" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero

by Vincenzo Roggero
December 5, 2022

Potremmo farci guidare dalle stimolanti note di copertina che evocano simbolismi, sogni, correnti di pensiero tirando in ballo John Cage, Marcel Duchamp e André Breton, in un viaggio surrealista dove immagini (meravigliosi gli acquerelli di Linda Okazaki), versi dal poema di Sun Ra “The Far Off Place" e procedimenti compositivi interagiscono in maniera stimolante. Oppure potremmo lasciarsi trasportare dal flusso della musica senza condizionamenti, in una sorta di tabula rasa cognitiva che favorisca un assorbimento sensoriale privo di ...

Album Review

Amir ElSaffar River of Sound Orchestra: The Other Shore

Read "The Other Shore" reviewed by Neri Pollastri

by Neri Pollastri
December 2, 2022

Secondo disco per la Rivers of Sound Orchestra, ensemble creato nel 2015 da Amir ElSaffar con il preciso intento di esplorare in modo originale le culture musicali delle sue origini. ElSaffar è infatti nato negli Stati Uniti da madre statunitense e padre di origini irachene; avvicinatosi precocemente alla musica, ha coltivato quella jazzistica dalla discoteca paterna e quella classica dalle frequentazioni della madre; musicista dalle collaborazioni di altissimo livello--tra gli altri Cecil Taylor e Vijay Iyer--solo da adulto si è ...

Album Review

Jon Irabagon: Rising Sun

Read "Rising Sun" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
October 14, 2022

Since his days with bassist Moppa Elliot's maddeningly inventive Mostly Other People Do the Killing, first-generation Filipino-American saxophonist Jon Irabagon has seemed to be on the periphery of the larger jazz world looking in. His big surging tone instantly and reverently recalls late era John Coltrane and has been associated with fellow adventurers Dave Douglas, Ralph Alessi, and a host of guitarist Mary Halvorson's musical configurations. With Rising Sun Irabagon sets his sights on getting his sound and vision out ...

Radio & Podcasts

Meditations on Crime, Miles Okazaki, Kurt Elling, Maggie Jean Martin

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 13, 2022

A mystery project bearing the DNA of the late Hal Willner and Sun Ra, a project inspired by the poetry of that same Herman Poole Blount, tributes to Carla Bley and Lars Gullin, saxophonists on the rise, and a teenage sensation.Happy listening!PlaylistBen Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Meditations on Crime, King Khan, Sun Ra Arkestra “We the People of the Myths" We the People of the Myths—Single (Anti-Fragile Music) 0:16 ...

Radio & Podcasts

Miles Okazaki, Fred Moten, Billy Mohler & We Free Strings

by Maurice Hogue
June 8, 2022

New releases sampled come from guitarist Miles Okazaki & Trickster with the final piece of a trilogy, the unique ensemble We Free Strings, a powerful big band from Austria led by Barbara Bruckmüller, pianist Elias Stemeseder, bassist Billy Mohler's quartet, Swiss saxophonist Fabian Willmann, and poetry and free jazz from the trio of Fred Moten, Brandon Lopez & Gerald Cleaver. There's more poetry/music from Heroes Are Gang Leaders, plus a continued look at Albert Ayler's Revelations: The Complete 1970 Fondation ...

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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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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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 ...
read more

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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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.