See you at Dizzy's Club!
“This is what big band music can be in times of turmoil.” - David R. Adler
Monday, July 13 -- 7pm & 9pm at Dizzy's Club
Miggy Augmented Orchestra “Unbreakable Hope & Resilience” Release Concert
A powerful story, brought vividly to life through big band jazz. Pianist and composer Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima returns with her orchestra to celebrate the release of her live album recorded at Dizzy’s in 2025, transforming the room with music shaped by memory, resilience, and hope. Blending sweeping ensemble writing with narration, the suite draws from Miggy’s own experience surviving the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, alongside stories gathered from fellow survivors and volunteers. The result is an emotionally rich evening that feels deeply personal, uplifting, and unforgettable.
Performance Lineup
Migiwa “Miggy” Miyajima, composer, conductor, piano
Megan Masako Haley, actor, singer
Dan Urness, trumpet, flugelhorn, David Smith, trumpet, flugelhorn, Stuart Mack, trumpet, flugelhorn, Summer Camargo, trumpet, flugelhorn
Ryan Keberle, trombone, Jason Jackson, trombone, Evan Amoroso, trombone, Gina Benalcazar-Lopez, trombone
Ben Kono, alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, Todd Bashore, alto saxophone, flute, clarinet, Sam Dillon, tenor saxophone, clarinet, Quinsin Nachoff, tenor saxophone, clarinet, Carl Maraghi, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
Pete McCann, guitar
Martha Kato, piano
Jared Beckstead-Craan, bass
Tim Horner, drums
Ashton Muñiz, actor (Portraying Akira Sato, Kazemaru Chiba, Takayuki, Takayuki Yoshinaga)
Arielle Gonzalez, actor (Portraying Yuko Miyajima, Kyohmi Takahashi, Fellowship for Japan)
New Big Band Album OUT NOW
Miggy Augmented Orchestra to Release “Unbreakable Hope & Resilience”
東日本大震災の実話を元にアルバムをリリース 「組曲希望とレジリエンス - 311と9つの物語」
As a survivor of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, I spent 2,544 days (7 years) listening to the real stories of 20 fellow survivors and volunteers, and turning their lives into music. This album was recorded live at Dizzy's Club with 18 musicians and 3 actors. I hope you'll listen.
私は3.11東日本大震災の経験者です。「みんなあの後、どうやって生きてきたんだろう？」と聞いてみたい気持ちが消えず、20人の被災者とボランティアの皆さんからお話を伺い、音楽を作りました。震災から15年、7年間の制作期間を経て、その音楽がジャズアルバムになりました。18人のミュージシャンと3人の俳優で、NYの名門Dizzy's Clubでライブ録音。お聴きいただければ幸いです。