Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Ima Ima (feat. Tom Harrell) (2018)

The album "Ima Ima" (Japanese for "Now, Now") is a profound and conceptual work by violinist and composer Meg Okura and her Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. The recording features a special guest appearance by the legendary trumpeter Tom Harrell. The musical fabric of the record seamlessly blends the precision of classical chamber music with the expressive freedom of contemporary jazz.

The compositions are rooted in Meg Okura's personal reflections on identity, spirituality, and history. Themes range from Buddhist philosophical concepts to tragic chapters of Japanese history, such as the aftermath of the atomic bombing in the piece "Black Rain." The arrangements are characterized by the intricate interplay between the string quartet and the rhythm section, creating a unique multicultural sonic landscape.

Tracklist:
1-1 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Ima Ima [6:05]
1-2 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - A Summer in Jerusalem [10:20]
1-3 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - A Night Insomnia [8:37]
1-4 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Birth of Shakyamuni [9:31]
1-5 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Blues in Jade [8:43]
1-6 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Black Rain [7:03]
1-7 Meg Okura, The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble - Tomiya [7:40]