Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu & Company in ' Kabuki Jazz Cabaret: Japanese Ghost Legends ' August 13, 2011

“KIMONOS…PASSION…JAZZ” - Dramatic performance blending Japanese & western instruments with storytelling by Brenda Wong Aoki and original music by Emmy Award-Winning composer Mark Izu. Their indescribable hybrid of Kyogen, performance art, and jazz has garnered countless awards and international acclaim. Also featuring Grammy nominated multi-percussionist Dr. Anthony Brown, natori koto master Shoko Hikage, Mas Koga 2010 Best Latin Jazz flutist, vocalist Moy Eng and Janet Koike with PJ Hirabayashi on Taiko.
Kabuki Jazz Cabaret was conceived and created by Aoki and Izu, who have developed a symbiotic blend of east and west, spoken word and music. Mark Izu, an Emmy Award-winning jazz composer, studied and performed Gagaku (Japanese Imperial music) with master Togi Suenobu for over twenty years. Writer/performer Brenda Wong Aoki is a student of Noh and Kyogen and a three-time NEA Theater Fellow. She is one of the premiere storytellers in America and an award-winning playwright recognized for her multidisciplinary works combining contemporary monodrama with traditional arts. Performers include Brenda Wong Aoki, Writer/Performer, Mark Izu, Composer, Contra Bass, Sho, Sheng, Anthony Brown, Percussion, Shoko Hikage, Koto, Janet Koike, Taiko, PJ Hirabayashi, Taiko, Mas Koga, Shakuhachi, Saxophone, and Moy Eng, vocalist. www.aokizu.com

Official Website: http://www.jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org