Meg Okura: Jazz Violinist and Composer

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Meg Okura is an award-winning Jazz composer and brilliant Grammy-nominated violinist, and the leader and founder of the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. This episode features several excerpts from Meg’s wonderful recent duo album “Lingering” with the Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist and composer Kevin Hays. This was a wide-ranging conversation, including Meg’s musical tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto, her experiences playing for Cirque du Soleil, some of the challenges she’s faced, and about her search for a new spiritual community. She shared with me her thoughts on mentorship and the power of music to create real understanding and connection.

Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/meg-okura

Album Lingering: https://megokurakevinhays.bandcamp.com/album/lingering

Meg Okura Website https://www.megokura.com/home

Phantasmagoria: https://open.spotify.com/track/4YG1HjeJF3qgK2AsmiqcXh

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:19) meeting Kevin Hays, album “Lingering”

(06:49) Again and Again

(10:18) intro to Maim Korim

(11:25) Maim Korim

(15:07) Meg’s classical training, early interest in composing was discouraged, Pan-Asian Youth orchestra experience

(19:56) commentary on Will You Hear My Voice

(21:56) excerpt from Will You Hear My Voice

(23:06) finding her own path into jazz in New York, influences and opportunities

(27:41) BMI Jazz composers workshop

(29:30) founding the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble

(40:38) excerpt from Tomiya Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble from album Ima Ima

(42:09) Ryuichi Sakamoto tribute project

(47:02) Michael Brecker, new album with Randy Brecker

(48:54) ISJAC prize, Silent Screams: an Anthem for the Unheard

(50:18) commission to write trio Phantasmagoria for Tasha Warren and Dave Eggar, writing for classical ensembles

(56:00) excerpt from Phantasmagoria

(57:23) parenting decisions, importance of education and community, decision to convert to Judaism

(01:08:42) changes with education and music online

(01:11:36) coommentary on Shamaim

(01:13:28) excerpt from Shamaim

(01:15:50) different ways you can support this independent podcast

(01:16:43) the importance of intuition and emotion in musical composition and improvisation

(01:23:06) commentary on Lingering, nostalgia and changing sense of self as we age

(01:26:10) excerpt from Lingering

(01:28:02) use of electric violin as a tool for composition and in performances

(01:29:54) Scorchio Quartet, David Bowie, Sirius quartet, Pharaoh’s Daughter

(01:35:10) Cirque du Soleil, decision to return to New York, marriage to Sam Newsome, learning jazz

(01:43:19) the importance of mentorship, community, the healing power of music