A Japanese born New Yorker, Mari Koga, has been singing professionally since her early 20’s. Early on, she won first prize at the 10th Annual Jetstream Young Vocalist contest. She was soon very much in demand as a young Jazz singer in Japan.
Mari moved to New York City to immerse herself in the New York jazz scene and started performing regularly at many popular venues in NYC. Eventually she reached the stages of New York's prestige jazz clubs such as the Blue Note, Zinc Bar and Jazz at Kitano. She also appeared as a re-imported singer at Tokyo's top jazz venues such as Body & Soul and DUG. Mari has also performed in commercial films with clients such as the American Plastic Council and Marriott Hotels.
In the summer of 2010, she formed the Afro-Latin influenced jazz band "Afronaughtica", with her long time best friend and pianist, Chiemi Nakai, as co-leader. The band debuted to a packed audience at the Creole, as part of its Afro-Cuban jazz series in July 2010. They’ve also played at Zinc Bar, Tutuma Social Club and many other music events. They had a successful tour performing in five major cities in Japan. Mari also performed as a backup singer for salsa star, Jimmy Bosch's "La Orquesta de Jimmy Bosch" and appeared at various clubs and jazz festivals, including SOB's and Savanna Music Festival.
Mari released her new album “PERFECT BLUE” in 2014, which contains her unique arrangements of jazz standards, and Afro-Latin influenced original songs. Also a pair of Salsa and Flamenco jazz tunes sung in Japanese. She successfully completed her “Perfect Blue” release tour in Japan in January 2015. “Invitation”, the first track of the album hit No.1 on the most popular download of the month of All About Jazz in April 2015 and the Salsa song “Lluvia de Lagrimas” has been heavily rotated with some FM stations in US and Latin Americas.
Audiences have been delighted by her unique repertoire, which includes original songs and unusual arrangements of jazz standards with a touch of Afro-Latin, and by her throaty horn-like improvisational scatting style.
MARI KOGA IS AVAILABLE FOR BOOKINGS AT A VENUE NEAR YOU!
