Mari Koga

A Japanese born New Yorker, Mari Koga, has been singing professionally for over 10 years. Early on, she won the first prize at the 10th Annual Jetstream young vocalist contest. She was soon very much in demand as a young Jazz singer in Japan. In 1994, Mari came to New York City to immerse herself in New York jazz scene. Audiences have been delighted by her voice and unusual song arrangements with her throaty low register she scats with a horn-like improvisational style. Her interpretation of jazz standards use modern meters and chord changes to create sophisticated yet accessible music. Mari has performed at popular New York venues such as the Blue Note, Zinc Bar and Anyway Cafe. She has appeared at DUG and Body and Soul in Tokyo. Mari first CD "Shabadaba" was release by New York's musicMonkey label. Her arrangement of six jazz standards on the album. Mari has also performed for commercial films with clients such as American Plastic Council and Marriot Hotels.