Last week, I got to sit down to chat (in Japanese) with the New York-based fellow jazz violinist Tomoko Omura whom I genuinely admire and respect. Originally from Shizuoka, Japan, Tomoko has been chosen as a “Rising star” on critics poll on Downbeat Magazine for the past three years. Though this is no Downbeat, Tomoko was kind enough to participate in my post-Passover FOUR QUESTIONS Series, and I hope you enjoy!
Question No. 1
You have received many honors as a jazz violinist and a jazz artist. What do you consider your
biggest achievement?
TO: My most significant achievement is my decision to leave Japan, my home country, and coming to the U.S. to set a new course for the rest of my life. After receiving my music ed degree in Japan, I still didn't want to become a school teacher.
Question No. 2
When did you decide to become a jazz violinist, and did your goal and dream ever change since the initial decision?
TO: I decided to become a jazz violinist at 21. My mother was a classical violin teacher, so I hated classical violin. But I liked jazz and began listening to every jazz violinist- John Blake, Zbigniew Seifert, Mark Feldman, Jenny Scheinman, Sara Caswell, Stuff Smith, Joe Venuti, Jean-Luc Ponty, Didier Lockwood, Christian Howes... I loved parts of each one of them, and I wanted to fuse my favorite elements from one of these very different players that I admired. Becoming my ideal jazz violinist became my dream, and that never changed.
Question No. 3
If there is anything in your life that you would like to change, will you share?
TO: Yes. I would like to make more time for the people I love and stay closer in touch with them.
Question No. 4
There are many jazz violinists in New York today. What makes you unique?
TO: What makes me different as a violinist might be the fact that I am not trying to be a jazz violinist. I want to become the complete musician, the best jazz musician I can be, and the violin just happened to be the instrument I play.
MO: Thank you so much, Tomoko. I can relate to you on that last comment. The violin is a very tricky instrument for jazz and "in" jazz as well. I find it admirable that you had a single vision and steadfastly stuck with it for all of these years in Boston and New York. Now I know why you play the way you do!
For information about Tomoko Omura's music and events, please visit her "excellent" website www.tomokoomura.com
Question No. 1
You have received many honors as a jazz violinist and a jazz artist. What do you consider your
biggest achievement?TO: My most significant achievement is my decision to leave Japan, my home country, and coming to the U.S. to set a new course for the rest of my life. After receiving my music ed degree in Japan, I still didn't want to become a school teacher.
Question No. 2
When did you decide to become a jazz violinist, and did your goal and dream ever change since the initial decision?
TO: I decided to become a jazz violinist at 21. My mother was a classical violin teacher, so I hated classical violin. But I liked jazz and began listening to every jazz violinist- John Blake, Zbigniew Seifert, Mark Feldman, Jenny Scheinman, Sara Caswell, Stuff Smith, Joe Venuti, Jean-Luc Ponty, Didier Lockwood, Christian Howes... I loved parts of each one of them, and I wanted to fuse my favorite elements from one of these very different players that I admired. Becoming my ideal jazz violinist became my dream, and that never changed.
Question No. 3
If there is anything in your life that you would like to change, will you share?
TO: Yes. I would like to make more time for the people I love and stay closer in touch with them.
Question No. 4
There are many jazz violinists in New York today. What makes you unique?
TO: What makes me different as a violinist might be the fact that I am not trying to be a jazz violinist. I want to become the complete musician, the best jazz musician I can be, and the violin just happened to be the instrument I play.
MO: Thank you so much, Tomoko. I can relate to you on that last comment. The violin is a very tricky instrument for jazz and "in" jazz as well. I find it admirable that you had a single vision and steadfastly stuck with it for all of these years in Boston and New York. Now I know why you play the way you do!
For information about Tomoko Omura's music and events, please visit her "excellent" website www.tomokoomura.com
I'm thanking to Mr. Pedro for helping me acquire my VA Mortgage loan. It was great receiving my loan of $900,000 USD from this loan lender. My name is Krasimir Todor am Belgian. I got my loan from this reputable loan lender on the 20th of November 2019 and I want to quickly use this medium to tell everyone here that you can acquire any loan from this credible loan company. A VA loan lender is not easy to come by and it must be recommended by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Mr Pedro will give you loans at low-interest rates of 2% rate and very fast. Get your loans at Email: pedroloanss@gmail.com / WhatsApp Text : +18632310632
ReplyDelete