Kenji Omae
Since graduating with a MA in jazz performance from CUNY Queen’s College, New York, Kenji Omae has been described as "a super-articulate virtuoso" (Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen) and "may be the most exciting tenor saxophonist to emerge in Canada in recent years" (Stuart Broomer-The WholeNote). He has released four albums of original music as a leader; “Ten Thousand Steps” (2023), "Story Time" (2015), "Not So Deep" (2011) and "Here For Now" (2007). In addition to his own recordings, he is featured as a sideman on over thirty jazz CDs.
His album “Story Time” was chosen as one of the top ten outstanding Canadian jazz albums of 2015 by CBC Music.
From 2003-2017, he was based in Seoul as a full-time instructor of saxophone (Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts and Paek-Che Art College). He was an active contributor to the music scene of Seoul through his frequent performances and extensive teaching. In 2007 he won the first prize in the Jarasum International Jazz Festival competition.
Education
M.A. in Jazz Performance, CUNY, Queen's College, NY
