Bassist, composer, and arranger Noriyuki Ken Okada was born in New York and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Yokohama, Japan. Finding inspiration in Japanese fusion and video game music, he’s developed an exciting take on jazz. He returns to the SJZ Break Room to feature material from his latest album Square One featuring Japanese drum prodigy Yoyoka.

Beginning piano at the age of 5, Ken added electric bass and drums to his repertoire at 12. While at the University of Tokyo, Ken joined Keio University’s prestigious jazz big band Keio Light Music Society as a bassist and arranger, despite not being a student there, allowing him to explore jazz and achieve recognition for his work.

After relocating to the Bay Area in 2002, Ken has had the privilege of collaborating with acclaimed local jazz artists including John Worley, Destiny Muhammad, Leon Joyce, Kristen Strom and Akira Tana, appearing in renowned jazz festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Stanford Jazz Festival, and world-class jazz venues such as Yoshi’s, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, SFJAZZ Center and Dizzy’s at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.

In addition to performing as a sideman, Ken has devoted time to crafting his original compositions and recently formed his own band. His latest album, Square One, which features Yoyoka, showcases a unique blend of jazz, fusion and an eclectic array of musical influences.

Born in Hokkaido, Japan, Yoyoka Soma started playing drums even before she began to speak. When she was eight, she became the youngest weekly champion in the global drumming contest Hit Like a Girl. During this period, Yoyoka’s drum cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” received international recognition and praise including from Robert Plant himself. She became the youngest person ever to be featured on Drummerworld’s list of the world’s Top 500 Drummers and appeared in Newsweek Japan’s 100 Most Respected Japanese in the World.

Her two appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, along with commercials for companies like UNIQLO and Nike, have expanded her reach. Guest performances with many top artists including Fall Out Boy and Cyndi Lauper, as well as coverage by CNN, NBC, NPR, BBC, Billboard and Rolling Stone have further highlighted her talent. When Yoyoka was 12, her original song “Sparkling” featuring renowned musicians including Rhonda Smith and Derek Sherinian, topped charts in countries like Japan, Australia, Italy, Germany, and the US.