Jazz Small Groups 1 and X

Small Group 1 Director, Miles Okazaki: Miles Okazaki is a NYC-based guitarist originally from Port Townsend, a small seaside town in Washington State. His approach to the guitar is described by The New York Times as “utterly contemporary, free from the expectations of what it means to play a guitar in a group setting — not just in jazz, but any kind.” His sideman experience over the last two decades covers a broad spectrum, from standards to experimental music (Kenny Barron, John Zorn, Stanley Turrentine, Dan Weiss, Matt Mitchell, Steve Coleman, Jonathan Finlayson, Jane Monheit, Amir ElSaffar, Darcy James Argue, and many others).

He has released ten albums of original compositions over the last 12 years, and is currently an artist on the Pi Recordings label. Other large projects include a six-album recording of the complete compositions of Thelonious Monk for solo guitar, a duo double album with drummer Dan Weiss, and a published book, Fundamentals of Guitar, with Mel Bay. He has been voted #1 rising star in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll (2018), is a grantee of The Shifting Foundation, The Jazz Gallery Commissioning series, SouthArts, and Mid-Atlantic Arts, and runs the Cygnus Recordings record label. He taught guitar and rhythmic theory at the University of Michigan from 2013-22, joined the faculty a Princeton University in 2021, and holds degrees from Harvard University, Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School.

Elle Lazarski ’26 – Alto Sax

Nina Green ’24 – Vocals

Chirayu Nimonkar ’26 – Alto Sax

Pranav Vadapalli ’25– Trombone

Isadora Knutsen ’25 – Guitar

Shlok Shah ’26 – Piano

Ezekiel Douglas Rosenthal ’27 – Bass

Leah Shefferman ’27 – Drums & Percussion

Small Group X Director Matthew Parrish is a sought-after performer, arranger, composer, producer, and instructor whose bass career is grounded in Philadelphia. His late teens and early twenties included performing with Shirley Scott, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Cecil Payne, Johnny Coles, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Sylvia Simms, and fellow young musicians of that era, Orrin Evans and Byron Landham. He then toured with legendary trombonist, Al Grey and performed with Clark Terry, Marion McPartland, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Joe Cohn, Savion Glover, and Bill Charlap. After the sad passing of Al, an important mentor and friend, Matthew continued to tour the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America with the bands of Greg Osby, James Newton, Stefon Harris, Regina Carter, Houston Person, Ruth Floyd, Michelle Lordi, and Vana Gierig with Paquito D’Rivera. Matthew frequents regional jazz venues, especially in New York City. The Jazz Standard, the Blue Note, Dizzy’s ‘Coca Cola’ Club at Lincoln Center, Smalls, Birdland, Smoke, and the Iridium rely on his warm, innovative compositions, arrangements, and steady performing.

JAZZ AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY serves to promote this uniquely American music as a contemporary and relevant art form. Its goals are to convey the vast musical and social history of jazz, establish a strong theoretical and stylistic foundation with regard to improvisation and composition, and emphasize the development of individual expression and creativity. Offerings of this program include academic course work, performing ensembles, master classes, private study, and independent projects. Jazz at Princeton University thanks you for joining them on this evening’s journey of beauty, exploration, discovery, and hope.