Ben Kono Group | Voyages

Grammy® Award winner, Ben Kono, an acclaimed woodwind artist and composer, reveals his third recording as a leader, Voyages, to be released November 15, 2024. Featuring Kono’s core jazz quintet joined by a string quartet well-versed in jazz and classical genres, this long-form suite is an immigration story that pays tribute to his Japanese-American forebears. “I was inspired by my grandfather’s memoirs in his book entitled ‘Setsuri No Jinsei’ (Human Life and Divine Providence). He (Juhei Caleb Kono) came to this country alone in 1911 at the age of thirteen and lived through a much different time. There was prejudice, the Great Depression, and of course Japanese internment during the Second World War. I was fascinated by his account and I realized how important to our identity as a Japanese American family his story was, and I thought, what better way to honor his contributions, and the contributions of my father’s generation, than to create an album inspired by their hard work which paved the way for our lives.” Kono, drawing inspiration from the writings of his grandfather, composed a suite which traces his journey as a child to the United States, his poignant struggles with culture and wartime politics, and his ultimate path to citizenship. Voyages stands as a tribute to the countless immigrants who paved the way for later generations, celebrating their enduring spirit and resilience.

Voyages opens with four evocative vignettes, each reflecting the text of his muse and offering a deeply personal narrative through music. The journey begins with Yobiyose (The Calling), a moody, rhythmic piece opening with strings and percussion that evoke the vast Pacific waves as Juhei embarks on a journey to unknown shores. The tension and mystery of the sea are beautifully captured, setting the tone for the album's exploration of identity and belonging. On Bata Kusai!!, Kono draws inspiration from Japanese work-songs to express Juhei's bewilderment at the strange foods and culture in his new country, and his dogged pursuit of success through hard work. This track is highlighted by the brilliant improvisation of Sara Caswell on violin, adding a dynamic and playful element to the narrative. Belong serves as an anthem for the newly displaced, originally composed to honor Kono's grandmother, Hisako Nara Kono. This poignant piece features Kono's virtuosity on the English horn and tenor saxophone and the emotional depth of this composition speaks to the experience of finding one's place in a foreign land. Across the Pond is a tribute to Kono's English mother, Barbara. Inspired by her love of Ralph Vaughn Williams' orchestral works, this piece reflects the influence of Western classical music on Kono's compositions and his conservatory training on the flute. It is a heartfelt homage to the first-generation immigrant in his family, blending chamber music and folk song with personal storytelling.

The next four pieces on the album are part of an expansive long-form composition titled Generations Suite. Each piece within this suite is dedicated to a specific generation of Japanese Americans: Issei, Nisei, Sansei, and Yonsei, representing the four generations of the Kono family who have made America their home. The suite begins with a string quartet that introduces the foundational melodic material, derived from a traditional Japanese scale. This motif serves as the thematic core, reappearing throughout the four movements and evolving into new and distinct forms with each iteration, reflecting the unique experiences of each generation. The suite culminates in a powerful and uplifting tour de force, showcasing the ensemble's virtuosic capabilities and pushing the boundaries of what this talented group can express.

The stellar ensemble of musicians participating in this project represents the vanguard of creative improvisation in New York City. Keyboardist Mike Holober, guitarist Pete McCann, drummer Jared Schonig, bassist Matt Clohesy, and Ben Kono himself, showcase an immense range of styles, effortlessly traversing the realms of jazz, post-rock, post-classical, and world music. Joining them are violinists Sara Caswell and Meg Okura, both award-winning jazz improvisers and classical virtuosos, violist Lois Martin and cellist Jody Redhage Ferber, who have graced stages worldwide with artists like Esperanza Spalding. “As always when I write, I tend to think of who will play the music first, and then write to those strengths. So it such a joy to work with these amazing musicians. All are not only amazing improvisors and conservatory-trained musicians, but are also composers and leaders in their own right. So it’s great to have such a deep well of experience and creativity to help shape my own ideas.”

Ben Kono's new album is a testament to the power of music to bridge cultures and generations. Throughout this monumental work, he offers listeners a unique glimpse into his family's history and his own artistic journey. The album will be available on November 15th, 2024 and promises to be a compelling addition to Kono's discography.

Ben Kono, a Vermont native, moved to New York City in 1999 and has since established himself as a versatile woodwind artist and as an emerging voice as a composer and improvisor. His talents have been featured on recordings and performances with jazz greats like Bob Berg, Michael and Randy Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and David Liebman, and he has performed alongside jazz luminaries such as Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Ingrid Jensen and Bill Stewart. He has also collaborated with composers such as Darcy James Argue, Miho Hazama, Remy Le Boeuf, Mike Holober and Ted Nash, as well as superstars Patti Austin, Hugh Jackman, and Natalie Cole.

A seasoned performer in big bands, Kono has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band, and the prestigious University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band.. He is a member of the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the BMI Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Ed Palermo Big Band, the Jihye Lee Jazz Orchestra, and the Gotham Jazz Orchestra. Kono has also held positions in numerous Broadway productions, including an eleven-year tenure with Jersey Boys, and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The New York Pops, and the St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra. In 2013 and 2018, he received commissions from Chamber Music America to compose for his own ensemble, The Ben Kono Group, leading to the release of two recordings and numerous performances and clinics across the United States. In 2023, his first opera, Fractured Mosaics, premiered with Whitesnake Projects, addressing anti-Asian violence in the U.S.

A Grammy® Award winner, Kono has appeared on over a hundred recordings. As a dedicated educator, he has taught at the University of North Texas, Morgan State University, Queens College, and the City College of New York and is a teaching artist for the New York Pops Orchestra. Ben Kono resides with his family in the picturesque river town of Nyack, NY, where he enjoys spending his free time sailing on the Hudson estuary.