Saitama Hall Lunchtime Concert Vol.50
Gen Okuda (Piano)

Oct.5.2021 / 12:10pm-1:00pm

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

Gen Okuda (Piano)

Mozart (Arranged by Gen Okuda) : Turkish march
Sammy Fain: Alice in Wonderland
Burt Howard: Fly Me to the Moon, etc.

Saitama Arts Foundation

Saitama City

Gen Okuda / Pianist, composer and arranger
Born in 2001. He began playing with a toy piano at the age of three and began composing music at the age of five. Learned how to play almost entirely on his own.
In December 2011, made his CD debut from Pony Canyon as the youngest pianist ever at the age of 10, and won the Jazz Japan Award. Also performed at large jazz festivals such as Tokyo Jazz. In 2014, at the age of 12, he registered with JASRAC as the youngest composer ever. Released 2nd album『Bon Appetit!』. He has also been well received as a composer, providing theme songs for TV programs, an insert song for Ressha Sentai ToQger, character songs, etc., and the theme song for the Hokusai exhibition was selected in a competition. He won the first prize in the「Concert Without a Title」piano contest. In 2015, King Records released『Okuda Gen to Yukai na Gakko Jazz Piano』, a jazz arrangement of the classics learned at school. In 2016, he wrote the theme song for「SHOW Le Lien」(The Galaxy Theatre, Spring) and also performed as a pianist. In the same year, he performed with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time in an orchestral concert entitled「Gen Okuda x Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra Jazzy Classic」at the Keio Music Festival. In addition, his collaboration with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and the Okuda Trio Band has become a hot topic, and Okuda’s highly original performances are attracting attention from orchestras as a new “wind” that transcends genres.
Since April 2017, has been playing the role of Leo, the piano player, in the Apollo 5 series of「Musica Piccolino」on E Television. Also participated in the popular project, Yu Aku’s Unpublished Lyrics Project 105080, composing and performing background music for the reading of lyrics.
Currently holding solo concerts「Gen Okuda’s Jazz World」all over Japan. Okuda’s improvisation is highly acclaimed, and the program, which includes improvisational projects, has become popular as a concert with an unprecedented sensation. Also expanded the field of collaboration by performing with jazz pianists Yosuke Yamashita and Hiroko Kokubu.
Since January 2018, has been in charge of the theme music for TV Kochi’s「Evening KOCHI」and has worked on all the program themes, weather forecast background music, and jingles.
Will be the Music Director for the TV anime「Shinigami Boy and the Black Maid」to be aired in July 2021!
https://www.oto.co.jp/
@OkudaGen