About Ben Kono's "Voyages"

“When the short form ventures give way to the more expansive and patiently crafted soundscapes, Kono moves effortlessly among an entire palette of woodwind instruments, crafting elegant melodies and clear, economical improvisations.” (College Music Symposium) Composed by New York City-based multi-instrumentalist Ben Kono, “Voyages” is the culmination of a 2018 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant. The suite for expanded quintet with strings was inspired by the memoirs of his grandfather, Juhei Caleb Kono, retelling the story of his immigration to the United States from Japan during a time of intense hostility towards Asians. The Ben Kono Group premiered “Voyages” in December of 2019, a project made possible by the generous funding from Chamber Music America and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. In addition to his critically acclaimed ensemble, the composer has performed and recorded with artists as diverse as the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, the Ed Palermo Big Band, the New York Pops, and many Broadway shows including the Grammy and Tony Award winning “Jersey Boys”. He is on faculty at the City College of New York and is in demand as a teaching artist and clinician throughout the U.S.