    Miles Okazaki is from Port Townsend, Washington, North of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest.    He is the son of a painter and photographer, and grew up with a strong interest in Visual Arts.    He was primarily a self-taught guitarist until he moved to New York City at the age of 22.   He graduated from Harvard University, Manhattan School of Music, and the Juilliard School, was 2nd place finalist in the 2005 Thelonious Monk Guitar Competition, and has received grants from Chamber Music America, the French-American Cultural Exchange, Jerome Foundation Jazz Gallery Residency Program, and the American Music Center.    His teacher on guitar is Rodney Jones.   He has toured and recorded with artists including Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Barron, and Steve Coleman and Five Elements.   He has written, produced, and illustrated two recordings of original material, and is preparing to release his third recording as a leader in the Spring of 2012 on Sunnyside Records.    Featured here are live tapes of Okazaki playing standards with various trios in New York City.   To find out about Okazaki as a composer, visit www.milesokazaki.com

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