Schedule

Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 10:00 pm (Jazz After Dark - Elks Lodge)

Like so many young musicians, Japanese-born trumpeter Takuya Kuroda is an alchemist when it comes to blending his influences into a singularly unique sound. Call it the fusion of smooth jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop, or just call it Kuroda music, but his playing and compositional prowess is exceptional. As a young musician, he left Japan to study at The New School in New York, where he met vocalist José James, contributing to James’ watershed recordings Blackmagic and No Beginning, No End. Takuya’s own take on recording is decidedly off the beaten track, too. On his latest record, Fly Moon, Die Soon, he created a far-out aural vision from everyday sounds, as well as putting his stamp take on classic tunes, and his own inventive compositions. The future is right now.